Roy Hodgson was to hold talks Monday about taking over the England manager's job and looked certain to be appointed within days. The Football Association's surprise decision to go for the 64-year-old West Bromwich Albion manager instead of long-time favorite Harry Redknapp left much of the British press underwhelmed. With just six weeks to go until England plays its first match at Euro 2012, the FA confirmed Sunday it has been granted permission from West Brom to speak to Hodgson about the position vacated by Fabio Capello. Tottenham manager Redknapp appeared to have conceded defeat, telling Sky Sports: “It's no problem. If Roy takes the job, I wish him all the best. He's a great guy. I've got a great job here.” Hodgson, who has already guided West Brom to safety this season, would be available to take over immediately unlike Redknapp, whose buyout clause at Tottenham could have cost the FA up to £10 million ($16.2 million). Hodgson has already spoken with the FA chairman David Bernstein and was meeting with the four-man FA panel Monday. Bernstein said Hodgson, who has managed Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Finland, and club sides in Sweden, Italy and England, without ever winning a major trophy, was the only manager the FA had approached. “Roy is the only manager we have approached and we remain on course to make an appointment within the timescale we set-out soon after Fabio Capello's departure,” Bernstein said. “Further conversations will now take place with Roy and my Club England colleagues before any further announcements can be made.” Hodgson took over at West Brom in 2011 after an unhappy and unsuccessful time six-month spell in charge of Liverpool. Several newspapers recalled Hodgson had given an interview at the start of the season in which he said he would only consider putting himself forward for the England job if he had the backing of the FA, the media and the players.
