How the England game could affect our search for a manager

If we believe the prevailing “wisdom” that Roy Hodgson is Liverpool’s top target to take over from Rafa Benitez as manager, then the next few days could prove to be very interesting indeed. According to the Guardian, the Reds hierarchy are desperate to sign up the Fulham manager before England’s crucial game with Slovenia tomorrow. The fear among those in the Liverpool boardroom is that Hodgson will wait until the outcome of the match tomorrow, and then consider his future from there.

If England do fail to qualify from group stages tomorrow, there is a likelihood that Fabio Capello will resign from his job. Hodgson, now 62, would no doubt be a front-runner to replace the Italian in the position both because of his English nationality and his experience with both Switzerland and Finland at international level. The FA would surely see the combination as ideal, as unlike Capello, he has been a coach at an international tournament before, leading Switzerland to the last 16 in the 1994 World Cup. At his age too, Hodgson could see an offer from England as his last chance of taking on such a prestigious job. If he was to compare the two jobs, England and Liverpool, both certainly have their baggage.

On the one hand, Roy would be on a hiding to nothing with Liverpool, with the majority of fans opposing his appointment, he could set foot into a club with a very uncertain future. With some of the club’s big players also having uncertain futures, Hodgson may have to rebuild the squad on a relatively small budget. Appointed by an unpopular regime would also give him problems. He could be accused of being the puppet of the owners if the club was forced into a fire sale, and he could be sacked quickly after new owners came in. Hodgson would be well aware he would be coming in steady the ship, rather than looking long term.

On the other hand, Roy would also have to consider the issues with England. If they fail to qualify from the group stages, he would have to pick up the pieces of a demoralised nation and squad, and to try and get the best out of a group of players who regularly under perform for their country. He also would have to cope with the fact that this World Cup would be the last for many of the so-called “Golden Generation,” is there another generation waiting in the wings to move the national team forward or would he be left with a second rate squad? Also, he would have the added pressure from fans and the media alike. Tactically astute but hardly known for his free flowing attacking football (when he was last in charge of Finland  there were five 0-0 draws in Euro 2008 qualifying), people will certainly be critical of his style of play, and the boo boys may return in force.

These perceptions of course seem to put both England and Liverpool jobs as poison chalices. Both jobs though are the biggest in English football and no doubt Hodgson would be honoured to be offered either post. Both England and Liverpool have quality players to choose from and he could obviously see potential to improve both sides. He is known as somebody who can shore up teams in difficult situations but whether he is the man for Liverpool I do question. He maybe more suited for England in regards to both his experience in international football and his ability to calm what is become something of a farce in our national team.

If England do qualify to the last 16 though, and Liverpool still want Hodgson, the saga may continue on for a lot longer. Depending on how far England go, Roy may just hold out to see whether he can become the next England manager. If that is the case then we must look elsewhere for our new manager.

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