• World Cup

Hodgson only kept job because he is English - Eriksson

ESPN staff
June 23, 2014
Hodgson could not prevent England's 2-1 loss to Group D rivals Uruguay © PA Photos
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Roy Hodgson would have been sacked after England's World Cup exit if he was foreign, according to Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Football Association has confirmed that Hodgson will remain in charge despite England's premature exit in Brazil just two games into the group stage - their worst performance at a World Cup in 56 years.

But Eriksson, who took England to the quarter-finals of three major tournaments from 2001-6, told the Daily Telegraph he would not have been so fortunate.

"I know for sure if that had been me, I would have been sacked at once," Eriksson said. "If he were foreign, he would be sacked. I'm quite sure about that."

However, Eriksson, who said he would like a second chance to manage England, feels the FA is right to stick with Hodgson.

"If they don't want me back, keep Hodgson," he said. "He's good. I would come back at once, of course. But that will not happen.''

Hodgson, who has repeatedly insisted he remains the right man for the job, has admitted he is relieved that he has not been made a scapegoat for England's failure after he was given the backing of FA chairman Greg Dyke.

"I am very pleased of course that Greg and the board have come out and backed me to continue," he said. "We are midway through a term, there's lot of work to be done, but I think we are on a good path. I am very pleased I am going to be the man leading [the team].'

"It means a lot because the job means a lot to me. It's a fantastic job, it's a privilege to have it. I am very pleased to have had that backing. Scapegoats are always necessary in times of failure, one understands that. But one would like to think the work that you do is judged over a long period of time.''

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd
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