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Fergie says nice things about Roy Hodgson

last updated Friday 12th March 2010, 6:47 PM
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
     
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Man Utd Sir Alex Ferguson believes Roy Hodgson would be an ideal candidate to manage England one day - but does not expect there will be a vacancy any time soon.

Hodgson has been mentioned as a likely successor to Fabio Capello should the Italian decide to step down after this summer's World Cup.

As someone who has always believed the international arena is better suited to men who have vast experience behind them, Ferguson can see exactly why 62-year-old Hodgson would be attractive to the Football Association, given his excellent work at Fulham recently.

But he cannot see Capello stepping aside in the short-term.

"Roy Hodgson has great experience, the kind of experience you need in international management. He would be ideal for that type of thing.

"But I don't think you can't pre-empt that.

"I am sure if Fabio does well at the World Cup, he will want to stay on as England manager.

"Why would he not want to? It is the hardest challenge for him because the expectation is high and he looks to me to be the type that relishes that."

Not that Capello's abilities detract from Hodgson's achievements.

Although he had already carved out an impressive reputation overseas, the view of Hodgson in England was largely tainted by an ill-fated spell at Blackburn.

Yet it is only two years since he arrived at Fulham, with the club seemingly heading for the Championship, and instigated a stunning transformation which currently sees them scrapping with Juventus for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals.

Ferguson has already suffered at Fulham's hands, losing on successive league visits to Craven Cottage, including a 3-0 reverse in December, which probably marked the low point of their season.

"Fulham has been a remarkable story," said Ferguson.

"Roy has brought his experience and authority to the club.

"He has formed a team that no-one likes to play against. They are very well organised and they play with great discipline. That is down to the manager.

"Two years ago when Roy went there, they were third bottom of the league. Now they are playing European football. He has turned the whole club round. It is a remarkable story."

Ferguson is probably relieved United meet Fulham in the middle of the Londoners' European clashes with Juventus, especially as last night's first leg was in Turin.

Not that the United boss feels Hodgson's men are necessarily out of the contest, despite having lost the first leg 3-1.

"They are not out of that tie," he said. "That away goal will mean something at Craven Cottage because it is a very hard place to go to.

"It is not the Juventus of old, from the Lippi days. They are still a very good team but Fulham only need to score once to make it a very interesting night for themselves."







































































Source Simon Stone at PASport
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