• Premier League

Shearer backs Hodgson appointment

ESPN staff
May 1, 2012
Roy Hodgson has been given the thumbs up for the England job by Alan Shearer © Getty Images
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Alan Shearer has leant his support to Roy Hodgson's impending appointment as England manager, and has criticised the length of time it has taken the FA to reach its conclusion.

The former England striker praised the choice of West Brom boss Hodgson but questioned why it had taken until just over one month prior to the start of Euro 2012 for the FA to act.

"Why have the FA been waiting to make this appointment as England boss?" Shearer wrote in The Sun.

"If he was the man then they should have gone straight in and got him. There is much that could have been done between Fabio Capello's exit and now."

Shearer added: "If, as it seems, Hodgson was to be the man from the very start then [Harry] Redknapp should have been told.

"The FA might argue they did not want to be swayed by the media or public opinion. But here was a man who was being treated by us as the new boss and nobody did anything to stop it.

"If, however, he was in their thoughts what has happened for him not to get the job? If it is down to slipping out the title race into a battle for fourth then you have to question those appointing him.

"Anyway this is where we are, let's get behind the new boss and hope. Let's not have unrealistic expectations and let's give him time."

Shearer also added his evaluation of Hodgson, explaining that the former Fulham and Liverpool boss is "a man with an incredible knowledge of the game".

"We have a good man in charge," said Shearer. "I just feel slightly sorry for the one who was expecting to get it."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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