Roy Hodgson has signed a four-year contract.
FA Chairman David Bernstein refused to talk about Harry Redknapp or the other candidates on their shortlist.
Bernstein said he was “extremely happy” about the confidential and professional way that the appointment of Hodgson has been made.
He revealed that the timing was what West Brom had asked for.
A month ago they decided, unanimously, that they wanted Roy Hodgson to manage the England team.
Bernstein said, “I can confirm that we only approached one club.”
Asked about the short time he has to win over the England players, Roy Hodgson said, “Every coach has to win over players.”
Roy was realistic, modest, measured and gentlemanly.
The fact that Hodgson has tournament experience, and World Cup experience, is a crucial point that too few fans appreciate.
Managing a national team is a very strange job and far harder than people imagine.
Hodgson said, “I’m looking forward enormously to the task ahead.”
Asked about the prospect of England winning Euro 2012, he said “You’ve always got to go into tournaments to win them because we’re a major football nation.”
I’m delighted he’s got the job.
His first game is Norway in Oslo on May 28.
After that, England play Belgium at Wembley on June 2nd.
Roy will remain in charge at WBA for their last two games.
So there you have it.
As I regard the degenerate media landscape that our sporting heroes now inhabit, I look up to Roy Hodgson as a beacon of decency.
Really hope he does well.
We don’t have many good players, so he will need a bit of luck.