Not Sexy but Cool

This week I was amazed to hear that the FA had managed to ignore the Harry Redknapp Press Bandwagon and made such a sensible and long term selection. The press, predictably disagreed. For them Roy is just not sexy enough. The headlines will just not be juicy enough. The Sun, disgracefully, decided to make some of their own (see below). Their latest Murdoch rebranding exercise lasting, in the process, about a single day.

If you want planning, experience, competence and a breadth of knowledge of the world game, Roy Hodgson is a dream appointment. In a managerial career spanning 36 years, he has managed 16 teams in 8 different countries, including 2 national teams. He has managed at a World Cup, USA 94, where he took lowly Switzerland to the last 16. The Swiss also qualified for Euro 96 under his stewardship and achieved an almost incredible all time FIFA high ranking of 3rd whilst he was manager. Later Hodgson was responsible for the ascent of Finland to its highest ever FIFA ranking position in 2007.
In club football Hodgson has reached 2 European finals with relatively unfancied, at the time, clubs. Hodgson is revered in Sweden where he guided unheralded Halmstad to 2 league titles, and Malmo to 5 successive league championship wins.
The press have tried to portray Hodgson's spell at Inter Milan from 1995 - 97 as a failure. In reality he  began a much needed rebuilding exercise and when he left they were third in the league and headed for their best placing for several seasons. Inter reached the UEFA cup final in 1997, but the fans took defeat badly and blamed Hodgson.
There have been highs and lows in English football. Blackburn Rovers was a low point. Hodgson followed the golden 'Dalglish era' and could not reverse their subsequent decline. Conversely it is widely accepted that he did a marvellous job at Fulham where he took them to their highest ever top flight placing and their only European final in 130 years of history. As recently as 2010 he was the League Managers' Association Manager of the Year.

                                                              REVERED IN SWEDEN
Hodgson made a career mistake by agreeing to take over at once mighty Liverpool. Liverpool were, and still are, a club in turmoil. Many fans wanted the return of King Kenny (be careful what you wish for!) The American owners plumped for Hodgson, but it did not work out. He was undoubtedly given insufficient time. Eventually King Kenny did arrive and has hardly been an unqualified success.
Hodgson moved to West Brom where he will indisputably be regarded as a complete success. He cemented their position in the Premier League and could have happily remained for years to come if England had not come calling.
In addition to his wealth of International managerial experience Hodgson is extremely well regarded on a technical level. He has been invited to serve on UEFA and FIFA technical groups at European and World Cups. He speaks 5 languages. It is hard to think of another English manager rivalling hsi breadth of experience and class. He is indisputably the best qualified person available to oversee and embrace the cultural revolution promised through the National Training Centre at Burton. He is also the type of person who will be delighted and enthused to do so.
No headlines, just diligence.
Perhaps Roy is too cerebral for sections of the English Press.
Not sexy, but I say cool.