The 2012 UEFA European Championship - Poland/Ukraine - The Thread!

[Bagor]

Yeah, but it's worth noting that he's got the same number of PL wins at Anfield in 2012 as Kenny.

[Locke]

The Football Association has confirmed Roy Hodgson as England's new manager on a four-year contract.

Hodgson, 64, has been in talks with the FA since Monday after West Brom granted their coach permission to hold discussions over the England position.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...d-boss?cc=5901

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

[NBC]

Hodgson will be OK. While not the populist choice, he's the pragmatic choice. He won't have England playing like Barcelona, but he will have them fit, well organized and as John Barnes has stated, "difficult to beat." People's (British media) expectations need to be scaled back to what is more in line with England's capabilities at the upcoming European Championships. They are probably a quarter-final team at best - anything more than that will be a major success. They need to build on decent performances and not expect to win each and every match or tournament out of the gate. Hodgson should give them the opportunity to succeed at a more manageable level, which, like many have said, is what England and its supporters should be aiming for.

[Locke]

In that case he'll do really well, but thats also settling on mediocrity for the next 4 years.

The biggest beef with Hodgson is that he is exclusively mid-table. Thats what hes good at, thats what he'll get you. His mentality and ability is all about mid-table.

The insane thing is that they didnt even interview anyone else. I think England and Harry are going to regret not going with Redknapp. He can get players playing over their heads for short periods of time. Perfect tournament manager.

[NBC]

Would have cost the FA in excess of £10 million to pry 'arry away from Spurs. Coupled with the £6 million they had to pay to get Capello out of the picture, that's a huge amount of dosh to fork out, notwithstanding the salary they would have to pay him.

Plus while I personally like Redknapp, what has he really accomplished in his managerial career? He's got a few promotions from the lower leagues and a solitary FA Cup. He has zero experience outside of England and no international credentials whatsoever. His personality and man-management skills are top notch, but is he really the solution?

England will be better off if they can record some decent victories and decent performances and play to sensible expectations. They are a decent side with the potential to win against most anyone. Having said that, the quarters at Euro 2012 is what they should be aiming for. It's a difficult group but they have the ability to get out of it.

[d_phaneuf]

I think Harry's tactics are a bit lacking and he can be naive (too attacking at times), sometimes he has a moment of brilliance but mostly his man management is clearly his greatest quality which in international football is more important than in club football I think


But I think Hodgson acts like a fool on the touchline, doesn't know how to play anything but a defensive game, and his man management isn't all that great from what I have seen/read.

I hope the FA has a contract out at some point in the next 2 years and we aren't potentially stuck with Woy until 2016

He may exceed expectations and I hope he does, but I don't see it

[Locke]

Humorous take:

Woy for England? Weally?

Roy Hodgson, England manager. Weally? The only attribute of his that deserves to be transported to a world stage is that maniacal head scratch thing he does when his team are failing to carry out his precise tactical instructions. One gets the feeling he will get plenty of chances to wheel it out over the coming months and years, starting promptly at the imminent disaster that will be England's Euro 2012 campaign.

Even though he was on the shortlist, along with Alan Pardew and Terry Connor, it still came as a shock when the news was trumpeted from FA headquarters. Largely because they have been dancing provocatively around 'Arry Redknapp ever since Fabio Capello decided to stick up for a deposed England captain. Tottenham's form nosedived but perhaps the mooted £10 million compensation they'd have to stump up to get 'Arry swung the deal in Roy's favour. After all, he'll come on a free and is probably being paid in Saga vouchers.

Perhaps it was that inspiring 0-0 draw with Aston Villa at the weekend that convinced them Roy was their man, or the way he failed to cope adequately with arguably his biggest job to date, in charge at Liverpool. Whatever the reasons, he now has about a month to compile a squad capable of preventing severe embarrassment at the Euros. I hear Paul Konchesky has kept his summer clear and is waiting nervously by the phone.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...ntrums?cc=5901

[NBC]

^ Guarantee that was written by Jerry.

[d_phaneuf]

Steven Gerrard

"He's a good man, good manager. It's important he's given a chance and I'm looking forward to working with him again'

aka I want to play for England, I know I hated everything you did at Liverpool but please let me play

[d_phaneuf]

I will say this

the chances of England 'greece-ing' their way to a Euro title just went up exponentially, while the chances of scoring more than 1 goal a game just crashed and burn

[Locke]

I think its going to be hilarious either way.

[d_phaneuf]

The Sun is a lot of things but I never thought they would so outwardly make fun of a speech impediment



calling him Woy is one thing, but for an actual newspaper to do something like that is wrong and it's not funny

[TopChed]

I hope England's back 4 have been practicing their long clearances, should be a lot of that going on this summer.

And I seriously doubt The Hodge will make it through 4 years. At least there should be some great quotes in the papers.

[Locke]

Wow. Say what you will about the English media, but thats ridiculous.

I dont understand, this is your new manager, you dont have to love him unconditionally but a little support wouldnt kill you. Its not even his first freaking day!

[NBC]

Bunch of idiots at the Sun. This man is fluent in four languages and can converse in four more. So what do they do, make fun of a bit of a speech impediment. Hell I'd take the speech impediment if it meant I could speak eight languages!

Plonkers.

[Locke]

The real question is how you can go on a summer hol for only 15 quid.

[NBC]

Roy Hodgson: The Sun front page 'unacceptable' FA says

The Football Association has said a front page headline in The Sun about new England manager Roy Hodgson's manner of speech was "unacceptable".

The story, referencing Mr Hodgson's pronunciation of the letter R, has led to more than 100 complaints to the Press Complaints Commission.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-17928426

What a bunch of idiots at the Sun. I hate the media (print, radio, TV) here.

[TopChed]

The Sun has always been a worthless trashy rag. I'll never even pick one up as a Liverpool fan. The thing I don't understand is how it is so popular in the UK? For you guys that live in England, what's the deal? According to wiki, it distributes is 2.6m copies daily.

[GirlySports]

No way that hair dryer is worth more than £10.

[NBC]

Originally Posted by TopChed

The Sun has always been a worthless trashy rag. I'll never even pick one up as a Liverpool fan. The thing I don't understand is how it is so popular in the UK? For you guys that live in England, what's the deal? According to wiki, it distributes is 2.6m copies daily.

It's full of topless chicks (Page 3 girls), sports scores and cheap holiday options. The news reporting is horrendous and far-right wing. The Daily Mirror is its far-left competitor. Then you have the Star. Oh and don't forget the Daily Mail!