KEEP HODGSON?

Terry Butcher reckons Football Association should persist with Roy Hodgson regardless of how the Three Lions perform in European Championships. A clear ultimatum is believed to have been given to Hodgson that if England falters in the tournament, he will have to be ready to take the axe in the aftermath.

And, it has also been reported that if Hodgson goes, the association would not look to sign another English manager to replace him and take the charge. They would instead be going for a foreigner.

According to Butcher, any such move would be catastrophic as it would disturb the group which is quite settled at this point of time.

Butcher, who represented England at the senior level 77 times, was quoted as saying, “Roy has shaped the squad and his equation with all the players, the young ones as well those who have been around for a while, is pretty good. He has earned the respect in that change room and I believe he should continue till 2018.”

“I have heard there are contemplations of bringing in a foreign coach which, in my opinion, would not be a wise call at all. You don’t want the entire philosophy in the group to transform and the players to have to adjust to it again.”

“I do feel that the spirit in the national set up is pretty high at the moment and you have to credit Roy for that. He has created that sort of positive environment that everyone is keen to feature for the Three Lions, to put on that jersey.”

“We might not be one of the world’s best teams at the moment, but, it excites you as a supporter when you see so much of passion among the players.”

England are amongst the favourites for Euro 2016, with the latest betting odds at StanJames saying they are just 9/1 to end up as Champions!