Roy Hodgson takes over as England manager
Yesterday the English FA announced the appointment of current West Bromwich Albion manager on a 4year contract to the vacant England manager’s job. On his appointment Hodgson said: “It is a very proud day for me, I’m a very happy man to be offered the chance to manage my country.” Hodgson was somewhat of a shock appointment, prior to his taking the role most assumed Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp would assume the role. However it would seem that he has shunned the position in favour of challenging for Champions League qualification next year. Hodgson’s first test is already on the horizon with the European championships beginning in June. It remains to be seen whether Hodgson can unite a fractured England team who despite an amount of talent have never performed well enough at national tournaments in recent years. Even though he has won 8 domestic titles across a variety of countries, Hodgson’s latest spell of top level management included a problematic time at Liverpool prior to his sacking he managed them for ten games resulting in 7 wins, 4 draws, and 9 losses. So questions remain about his ability to manage at the highest level, despite a fondly remembered tenure at inter Milan.
We asked Sirius academy students whether Hodgson was the right man for the job:
Bilal Mohammad Year 9 said: “I don’t like Roy Hogdson, I think for the England job, they could have had a better manager.”
Iestyn Longley Year 9 said: “I don’t think he’s better than Harry Redknapp, Redknapp seemed to be the stronger manager and I would prefer it if it was him.”