Wenger in frame for England job
By Nigel Gould
Arsene Wenger emerged today as the long-term favourite to succeed Roy Hodgson.
The Arsenal boss is apparently being tipped to take over in a year’s time.
In the interim, it looks like England will look to under-21 manager Gareth Southgate.
Chief executive, Martin Glenn, said yesterday that they needed “an inspirational” manager who could “harness all of the resources that the English game has got … to make us more resilient in tournaments.”
And he added: “As I said, it has got to be the best man or woman for the job.
“More likely a man, but it’s the best person for the job. I don’t think we are ruling out anything.
“An ideal mix is somebody who has had experience of the English game, ideally at a significant level. That is what you would look for.”
Meanwhile, the fall-out from England’s disastrous Euro campaign continues.
Hodgson resigned within 20 minutes of his side’s humiliating exit from the competition – after losing 2-1 to lowly Iceland.
He told a press conference yesterday: “I don't really know what I'm doing here. I think my statement last night was sufficient.
“I'm no longer England manager, my time has been and gone. But I was told it was important for everybody I appeared, I suppose that's partly because people are still smarting from our poor performance and the defeat which has seen us leave the tournament.
“I suppose someone has to stand and take the slings and arrows that come with it.
“I maintain I'm unhappy about it because it's no longer my job.
“As you can understand I'm very fragile. It's certainly the wrong day for me to be talking about it because the emotions are too raw.''
Earlier, a statement from captain Wayne Rooney had poured cold water over reports that senior squad members had had doubts about the manager’s tactics in France.
Arsene Wenger pictured in stands at Euros Picture by: Jonathan Brady / PA Wire/Press Association Images