New England Manager says international experiences 'improved and rounded' him.
By Nicholas Veevers
Following his appointment as England Manager on Tuesday, Roy Hodgson sat down with FATV to discuss his role and reflect on what he has learnt in 36 years of coaching.
Whilst the 64-year-old has been working back in his homeland for the best part of the last five years with Fulham, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion, Hodgson believes it’s the experience gleaned from previous roles all over the globe that has led him to the job which he refers to as ‘the pinnacle of success’.
Multi-lingual Hodgson has worked as a coach in Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Norway, Italy and UAE at both club and international level over the years and feels that the things he has picked up over that period can only help him in his new role.
“I think learning to deal with different cultures improves you and rounds you as a person, there’s no question about that,” said Hodgson.
“Also, with those various teams in various countries, I’ve often been involved in UEFA competitions and if you combine the number of games I have had involved in those competitions, it comes to close to 200 now.
“You don’t realise what experience you’re getting and what you’re learning, but hopefully you are.
“I have actually attended all of the Euros since 1996 as part of the UEFA Technical Study Group. Andy Roxburgh, the UEFA Technical Director, has always invited me to join him.
“I went to the USA in 1994 with Switzerland and that was a very interesting experience in a World Cup. It was the first time that Switzerland had qualified in a number of years and there was a great expectation and anticipation in that tournament.”
Hodgson also revealed he will take charge of West Bromwich Albion’s final two games of the Premier League season, before averting his attention in full to the job at hand with the Euros fast approaching.
“It’s going to be difficult, I don’t deny that,” he admitted. “In some ways, it would have been better for me if it wasn’t necessary to take the last two games but I fully understand West Brom’s position.
“I’ve had such a good time there and have good relations with everyone, not least the fans of the club. I can understand why the Chairman wants me to be at those games and to leave the club and the fans in a dignified way, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that my mind is going to be split, simply because the Euros are looming on the horizon and there’s a lot that I need to doing and thinking about before we get together in the middle of May.”
Watch the video now, either through the link to the right or by clicking here.
The new Manager will take charge of England at Wembley for the first time, when the Three Lions take on Belgium on Saturday 2 June at Wembley Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm). Tickets are available at www.TheFA.com/Tickets