Source: Daily_Mail
Roy Hodgson: Liverpool revolt was a lesson
Roy Hodgson has said he would consider succeedingFabio Capello as England manager but only if he felt he had the backingof the supporters. [LNB]The West Bromwich Albion manager is sure to be high on the Football Association's shortlist when they begin to give serious consideration to who should follow the Italian. [LNB][LNB] Strong chance: Roy Hodgson has a wealth of experience[LNB]There is a desire at Wembley to see an Englishman next and on that basis the genuine options would probably be limited to Harry Redknapp, Hodgson and one or two others. Martin O'Neill, an Ulsterman but someone who has spent more than half his life living and working in England, may also be a contender.[LNB]After emerging from a nightmare spell at Liverpool by guiding West Brom impressively to Premier League safety last season, Hodgson clearly realises he has a strong chance of becoming the next England manager. [LNB]But when he joined Liverpool a year ago he never really felt accepted, the desire among supporters to see Kenny Dalglish installed as manager something he feels made it impossible to succeed at Anfield. [LNB]He remains bruised by the experience and for that reason he would want to be sure history would not repeat itself with England before accepting any offer he might receive.[LNB]'I don't think the Liverpool people thought I was a particularly bad manager, they just wanted somebody else,' he said. 'So having taken on a job in the fact of public opinion, I suppose I wouldn't want to do it again.[LNB]'I would rather hope that, if I was ever going to be offered the England job, it would be with the backing of the important people. And that would of course be the people like yourselves, who represent the fans, and the fans themselves of course. [LNB]'Otherwise it's going to be a very difficult job for anyone who takes it. Because even if you've got the competence, even if you are the right person, you need to be perceived as the right person. And the perception of my Liverpool appointment was not right and as a result, of course, you end up paying for it.'[LNB] Green light: Owen Hargreaves has been cleared for comeback[LNB]Hodgson said he had not given the scenario much thought; that he was 'happy' in club management at West Brom. Having managed Switzerland, Finland and the UAE, he even said he would struggle to argue against the appointment of another foreign manager.[LNB]But he then said: 'It would be very unwise of the FA to go down another route because I'm pretty sure the country is now in the mood for an Englishman managing their national team.'[LNB]Is he not put off by 'the impossible job'? He says no. 'I think it's impossible to be liked while you're doing it,' he said. 'You might get sanctified afterwards like Bobby (Robson) and Terry (Venables) did to some extent.'[LNB]But he is very obviously excited by the prospect of such a role. 'The effect a manager can have on lots of other areas within a country's football is quite enormous,' he said. 'I'm sure the FA with David Bernstein, the chairman, are aware of that. [LNB]'I think the job has a lot of other facets to it and could have even more now, with St George's Park and what's going on there. If I was an FA chairman that would be something I would be thinking about.[LNB]'And I enjoy international football, because you're working with the best players, aren't you? And you don't have the problem of a player having the needle because he hasn't got the new contract he wanted! That's a club problem.[LNB]You have the ability to go around and maybe spot a player who hasn't had the opportunity in the past, or forge relationships with the top players and work tactically with them. I think they are good enough to compete and if I can give it serious thought I would be happy.'[LNB]Right now he is the manager of West Brom and yesterday he confirmed that the club had made an offer to Owen Hargreaves to play for them. [LNB]Hargreaves was released by Manchester United in the summer after playing just six minutes of football in three years because of a chronic knee condition. [LNB]But West Brom 's medical experts have examined him and they agree with the specialists who have been working with Hargreaves that he is now ready to come back. [LNB]'We'd like him to play for us,' said Hodgson. 'I met him on the Tuesday afternoon and, although I don't know what it is, I know we've made a proposal to him. He was looked at by our doctor.'[LNB] Behave or else! Players and managers face Premier League crackdownEnrique travels to Liverpool for medical ahead of ?6m switch as Toon close on PietersCLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAME[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]
