• Euro 2012

Fergie surprised at Hodgson appointment

ESPNsoccernet staff
May 4, 2012
Roy Hodgson will lead England at Euro 2012 © PA Photos
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Sir Alex Ferguson has offered his backing to new England manager Roy Hodgson while expressing his surprise the Football Association did not "bend" to the press.

Hodgson was unveiled as the permanent successor to Fabio Capello on Tuesday, but his appointment has received a mixed reception from sections of the media, after Tottenham's Harry Redknapp was thought to be favourite for the role.

Ferguson, though, believes outgoing Fulham coach Hodgson has the pedigree to succeed as England boss, the 64-year-old having managed the likes of Switzerland, Finland and United Arab Emirates in the past.

"The surprise for me was for the first time I can remember the FA didn't bend to the press," Ferguson said. "The press had their own view of Harry and I think we all supported that and normally the FA bend to the press but they didn't do it this time. That was surprising.

"Roy has fantastic experience, he's a good man and he has the right profile in every respect for the job. I've always said that to manage England you need to be in your 60s, without doubt.

"You need to be going into that job with all the experience behind you of club football. I hope he does well. He'll need luck in terms of dealing with the press because that is really important in the job.

"Everyone wants a piece of him and if he tries to put one against the other or favour one against the other he'll be slaughtered. He has to find a way of accommodating all the press as one person."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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