Roy Hodgson has been backed to handle England's senior players and improve their quality by his West Brom number two Keith Downing.
There have been doubts cast over whether Hodgson is a big enough personality to deal with the egos in an England dressing room. But Downing, who has worked alongside Hodgson at West Brom for the past 15 months, has no doubts that he can cope with that part of the job.
Downing said: "This is the pinnacle of his career. There is no better man at it in terms of experience and dealing with situations. He has gone around the world and dealt with different people like the Inter Milan experience. He dealt with the senior players there. He has handled all that."
He added: "There is all this doubt about can he deal with senior players, was the Liverpool job too big for him, etc. We all put a different spin on but the bottom line is every player who has worked with him - and you can ask Steven Gerrard and people like that - will back that up.
"There is a diligence about him and an enthusiasm about him to get players to be better and the England players will embrace that."
Downing is convinced Hodgson will also be prepared for being under the media spotlight.
He said: "I think he is aware of the magnitude of being analysed every single day. He is big enough and wise enough to handle those criticisms. Is he the right man? We will find out and he is aware results are the most important thing, but I can assure everyone it will be diligently thought out.
"His work will be with a massive enthusiasm for someone who is 64, he is out there on the training ground every day, every detail is covered, the players are always learning."
Downing has ruled himself out as a contender to replace Hodgson at the Hawthorns but is unsure if he will be considered as part of his backroom staff with England.
He said: "I will not put myself forward for the Albion job. It is for someone who has a bit more experience at this moment in time. Will I being going to England? There are a lot of questions to be answered. We will prepare for the end of the season and then see what happens."
Source: PA
