England’s Hodgson reluctantly faces music after Iceland loss

AS England begins the search for its fifth manager in 10 years following its humiliating exit from Euro 2016, there appear more unemployed former holders of the job than serious contenders to replace Roy Hodgson.

Captain Wayne Rooney denied reports that the players lost faith in their boss, and Hodgson himself has insisted that he was unaware of a revolt.

England crashed out of Euro 2016 with the 2-1 loss against one of the lowest-ranked teams in the competition, while in the immediate aftermath of the result, Hodgson announced his decision to quit in a pre-prepared statement to the media.

“I don’t really know what I’m doing here”, before unleashing an angry repost to continued questions over the reasons for his failure to bring success during his four-year tenure.

“We are still recovering and I am very fragile”.

But the list of genuine contenders is short, considering that being the manager of England is usually the highest-paid coaching role in the worldwide game.

“I suppose someone has to stand and take the slings and arrows”, he added.

“After our defeat against Iceland, I took off my jacket and tie and went into town to talk to the fans”.

“We were really unlucky with Fabio Capello – Italians are so good at tactics and we found the one who probably wasn’t, according to the players that I have spoken to who played under him. It would be up to them to come to me, because as far as I’m concerned I’m an ex-England manager”.

After being asked whether this England side can win a major tournament, the 68-year-old replied: ‘Yes I think so, this group of players as they mature will show they’re worthy of the shirt.

“We are going home as losers and I didn’t see that coming”.

Hodgson wouldn’t be the first former England coach to land on his feet in China with Sven-Goran Eriksson, who led the Three Lions to three major tournament quarter-finals between 2002 and 2006, coaching Shanghai SIPG. But I was told it was important for everybody I appeared, I suppose that’s partly because people are still smarting from our poor performance and the defeat which has seen us leave the tournament.

Players are more resilient than coaches because they always have another training session to look forward to or another match.

“In terms of the FA’s commitment, we’ll get a new management team and in the future at every tournament, every game, every half we will punch our weight”.

Wilson echoed the widely-held view that the England squad lacked personality against a well-drilled Iceland team.

Oh sure they can run around a bit, I suppose that’s an improvement but where’s the vision? Having been a fan before I started this job …