adminENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson has no plans to quit before the 2018 World Cup as the Football Association backed him to stay on if Euro 2016 goes well. Hodgson will have worked in coaching for 40 years as of 1 January.
“If you ask me at this moment in time can you see yourself working after next summer, I’d have to say yes, absolutely,” the 68-year-old said.
FA chief executive Martin Glenn said: “If we do well in the Euros, then he is our man for 2018.”
Hodgson was hired in 2012 and his deal runs until the finals of the European Championship in France.
He added: “It will be my 41st year next year, which I’m very proud of. I don’t envisage anything at the moment – anything other than the tournament – but it depends how I feel.”
Glenn, who was speaking immediately before the Euro 2016 draw that saw England placed in a group with Wales, Russia and Slovakia, added: “If we see progress, this will make us feel that Roy is the best person to take this young team forward and really fire at the next two tournaments.”
FA chairman Greg Dyke also backed Hodgson. He told BBC Radio 5 live’s Sportsweek: “I think if we don’t get out of the group stage Hodgson wouldn’t want to continue,” but added that he believed England had a “good chance” of reaching the semi-finals in France.
In September, Glenn said Hodgson would not be given a new deal until after the tournament to avoid the “unsavoury position” that emerged under Fabio Capello.
Capello signed a new contract prior to the 2010 World Cup, where England were thrashed by Germany in the second round. — BBC Sport
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter