Hodgson has emerged as a contender to succeed the recently-departed Fabio Capello, although Tottenham counterpart Harry Redknapp remains favourite for the post.

The position is seen as one of the most demanding in football but Hodgson sees no reason why it cannot bring success.

“I don’t think any job is impossible,” the former Switzerland coach is quoted as saying by various national newspapers.

“England have won a major tournament – only one, but they’ve still won one – and we are working in a league where football of a very high quality is played and we are producing players who most people would regard as top European standard. So, impossible, no.”

Asked about being linked to the job, Hodgson added: “I am flattered to be considered.” – soccernet

The 23-year-old defender has the opportunity to impress new England manager, after  Fabio Capello’s resignation due to dispute with the FA.

In the selection  order in the Three Lions defense, Richards isbehind Liverpool defender Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur, although he appeared impressive with the Citizens this season.

Mancini has long recognized the potential of the 23-year-old defender, but the former Inter Milan boss has also warned Richards not to expect too much to be called quickly to strengthen the England squad, which he joined last time in November 2010, since he still needs much to show.

“Micah has everything to be a top wing-back. I think he has grown a lot from last year, but he could still improve his abilities and become better,” Mancio said as quoted by espnstar.

“For the time being in the national team, probably Johnson or Walker are the best. But I did not say Micah is not playing for the national team. If he wants, Micah can play as usual,” he said.

“If the England manager had to choose from the three, between Johnson, Walker, and Micah, one of the three should be issued. Micah could play for the national team with Capello, but there are many players in the UK and the manager can only call 20-22 players to compete in the Euro 2012, “said Mancio.

“I think Micah could really be a top wing defender, but he needs to develop himself better,” he concluded.

Terry’s lawyers entered a not guilty plea on his behalf at Westminster Magistrates Court and the case was adjourned for trial on July 9.

England boss Capello, who got the agreement of FA chairman David Bernstein for Terry to skipper the side against Sweden in November, less than a month after the alleged verbal assault on QPR’s Anton Ferdinand, has insisted he will stick to his opinion the 31-year-old is innocent until proven otherwise.

While it is likely that line will hold, senior FA figures are known to be concerned about the potential ramifications of England being led into the tournament by a player whose international future will be determined by the outcome of the trial.

Wembley chiefs will not make any definitive ruling at this stage, allowing time for ongoing assessment, discussions and conversations about the policy that may be adopted.

And one possible outcome could see Capello informed that he must either change his captain or even not select Terry for the squad.

Capello is reluctant to take that position, having previously let it be known he would not want to omit a player on grounds of the potential outcome of legal proceedings and then see him cleared of any charges.

After the hearing, Terry’s legal team released a statement which said the England captain “looks forward to the opportunity to clear his name”.

It added: “Mr Terry denies making any racist statement and will establish in court that he is not guilty of any such offence. Mr Terry has never racially abused another player in his entire career.”

But the FA did come under pressure to take a stronger line and announce Terry would not be selected for the tournament with former Blackburn striker Jason Roberts, now with Reading, demanding tough action.

Roberts Tweeted: “I have seen the Ferdinand case has been put back. On this basis, I do not believe that the England captain should go to the Euros.

“Innocent until proven guilty is not always the case in football, as Rio Ferdinand found out in his case. Also more importantly, believe me, the dressing room at the Euros will be TOXIC unless the correct decision is made.” (Mirror Football)

For this case, David Beckham gave his full support for the Tottenham Hotspur coach to fill the place that will be left by Capello later. According to Beckham, Redknapp meets all the criterias to become the next England coach.

“He has proven his ability since many years. Tottenham at this time has been remarkable,” Beckham said on Wednesday (23/11).

“A lot of people likes the way they play, it is Interesting. There are young players with energy, but they also have experienced players.”

“He is a coach who has great passion and that’s what most players want. I was lucky to train there a few months and he was incredible,” he said.

Terry, pleased by the night’s work, insisted he never thought about relinquishing the armband as he finds himself accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand at Loftus Road last month – allegations he strenuously denies.

”No chance,” he told ITV1. ”I would never step down. It (being England captain) is something I dreamed of as a boy. ‘When I was four or five years old I used to watch England games and it’s something I dreamed of being. I worked very hard to get here. I’m very passionate, very confident being England captain and very proud to be, also. ‘It’s a great achievement, walking the side out, and I’m very proud to do that.”

Terry said of the Wembley crowd: ”I said yesterday the England fans have always been great with me and the players, they are always behind us win, lose or draw. They get upset at times – like we all do – we’re very passionate and that’s what makes us the very best.

”We’ve got a great set of fans, and some great performances at the moment, so if we can keep that momentum for the next six months then hopefully things will be a lot better.”

England boss Fabio Capello was pleased with his side’s performances against Spain and then Sweden without Wayne Rooney, who is suspended for the three Euro 2012 group games, subject to an appeal.

”I learned a lot,” Capello said on ITV1. ”It was important to see some players against two difficult teams. I’m happy with the experiments, the results were positive. For the future, these players will be okay.

”Without Rooney we changed the style, played three midfielders in a 4-3-3. I’m happy because we won the two games and this evening we created a lot of chances. ‘I know Rooney is a really fantastic, important player, but the team spirit is important. I saw in these two games really good spirit.”

Capello added: ”We created a lot of chances to score. Some of the players played really well – Phil Jones, Jack Rodwell – and I think it was a really testing game, because after 43 years we finally beat Sweden. ‘I’m happy but I think we need to improve from it because when you’ve got the ball possession you need to move it a lot quicker.” – espn

Welbeck was expected to be included from the start at Wembley, but has now returned to his club in order to undergo treatment on the injury. He suffered the setback when appearing as a late substitute during Saturday’s 1-0 success over World Cup winners Spain.

His withdrawal opens the door for Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge, who Capello confirmed on Monday will make his debut at some point. He is likely to partner Fulham forward Bobby Zamora upfront as England look to take further strides forward ahead of Euro 2012.

Welbeck has been earmarked as a potential replacement for Wayne Rooney at the tournament in Poland and Ukraine, with Rooney suspended for the first three matches following a red card against Montenegro during qualifying.

Welbeck, 20, has started seven times in the Premier League for United this season, scoring three goals and contributing two assists. His form has meant Dimitar Berbatov, a £30 million signing from Tottenham, has made just one league start.

Following an impressive loan spell at Bolton last season, Sturridge has forced his way into the first-team picture at Stamford Bridge, netting four in seven league starts, and is set to be rewarded for his performances.

England will be hoping to end their hoodoo when they face Sweden, having not beaten them for 43 years. (espn)

Fabio Capello has named an experimental squad to face the reigning world and European champions, leaving the likes of Wayne Rooney out of his group and bringing in youngsters such as Jack Rodwell.

In contrast, Spain, who secured their place in next summer’s Euro 2012 finals by winning all eight of their qualifiers, have named a full strength squad ahead of their fixture with the Three Lions.

The Liverpool goalkeeper is one of many Premier League players to feature in Vicente del Bosque’s squad, and he insists they will go to Wembley to win.

“There is no such thing as a friendly these days. When you go away with your national team you always want to win,” he told The Liverpool Daily Post.

“For those of us who play our club football in England, this is a very special game.

“Any time you go with the national team you want to win, and every time you play England it is a special game.”

Real Madrid’s Iker Casillas has limited Reina’s appearances to just 23 for his country since his debut in August 2005.

But the 29-year-old is confident he will feature in Saturday’s game, adding: “I hope to play some part of the game.

“The international team has 23 very important players for our clubs but only 11 can start. So we have to take that role when it comes along if you are lucky enough to be there.

“In my particular case it has been an absolute pleasure. We are the champions of Europe and the world. To be world champions with my national team is a dream come true and the target of any footballer.”

Reina feels his national side has a unique style of playing that other teams will find hard to replicate if they do not have the quality of players to do so.

“We have found a great generation of players the same age,” he continued.

“These players know how to win because they have won already in their club divisions.

“It is not always possible to play our way. It depends on the player and the team and depends on the philosophy you have. But not everyone can play as we do because no one has the quality of players we have.”

source: goal

Having booked England’s place at Euro 2012, Capello is keen to explore alternative options for the finals, and Gabriel Agbonlahor and Bobby Zamora are among the other players looking to make an impression.

Capello, as he had indicated on Saturday, has included John Terry despite the current allegations against him, while Wayne Rooney – facing a three-match ban at the finals – and Rio Ferdinand are left out.

Ashley Young is another absentee through injury while Joleon Lescott returns and Glen Johnson comes in at the expense of Micah Richards. Writing on his Twitter account, Richards said: “Well well well!!!! Disappointed is an understatement!!”

Daniel Sturridge has enjoyed a successful 2011, spending time on loan at Bolton last season before forcing his way into the first-team reckoning at Chelsea, and Capello has been impressed by his development.

“He’s an interesting player and a player who scores goals,” Capello said. “I saw him play right wing, left wing and centre forward. He has improved a lot.”

England squad to face Spain and Sweden: Hart (Man City), Carson (Bursaspor), Stockdale (Ipswich); G Johnson (Liverpool), Jones (Man Utd), Cahill (Bolton), Terry (Chelsea), Cole (Chelsea), Baines (Everton), Jagielka (Everton), Lescott (Man City), Walker (Tottenham); Lampard (Chelsea), Rodwell (Everton), Downing (Liverpool), Barry (Man City), A Johnson (Man City), Milner (Man City), Parker (Tottenham), Walcott (Arsenal); Bent (Aston Villa), Sturridge (Chelsea), Agbonlahor (Aston Villa), Zamora (Fulham), Welbeck (Man Utd).

Terry is currently the subject of investigations by the Football Association and Metropolitan Police after he was alleged to have racially abused Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea’s recent defeat at QPR.

But Capello revealed discussions had taken place regarding the selection of the experienced international, and it had been decided he will take part in preparations for Euro 2012 next summer as the player is “innocent until proven guilty.”

Capello stressed that he does not believe there is an issue with racism in English football. “Look. I never see. I never heard. I never found racism problems in England football in my experience,” he said. “The fans never boo. Never. Racist problems between the players do not exist.”

With the FA’s blessing, Capello has refused to bow to calls to leave Terry on the sidelines for the upcoming games despite being under investigation for an alleged racial slur.

Some, including QPR owner Tony Fernandes, believe Terry should be picked on the grounds he remains innocent until proven guilty. Others feel the allegation is so grave, it would be fairer to leave Terry out until such time as the matter was resolved.

Rio Ferdinand is not in the squad, although Capello dismissed the idea it had anything to do with his being Anton’s brother. Wayne Rooney has not been included as he is scheduled to miss the first three games of Euro 2012 through suspension.

The FA has appealed although a spokesman said it was “not sure” if Rooney would attend the appeal at Uefa’s HQ in Switzerland. Daniel Sturridge is in the squad.

The Italian also named a host of younger players who will be selected for the November friendlies, as England prepare for life without Wayne Rooney.

Capello will hand Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge his first call-up, while Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell and Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are under consideration. Manchester United’s Phil Jones is likely to be given the chance to impress in a holding midfield role having made his debut at right-back against Montenegro.

He added: “There will be [Phil] Jones, [Danny] Welbeck, [Daniel] Sturridge.

“[Jack] Rodwell is possible, we need to wait. [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain is in both [the senior and Under-21s squad].”

The Liverpool star, 31, has played under Swede Sven Goran Eriksson and Italian Fabio Capello with the Three Lions.

But Gerrard thinks there is enough home-grown talent around to take over the post when Capello leaves after the Euro 2012 finals.

The midfielder, who is pushing for an international return against Spain and Sweden next month, said: “There are very good English managers out there.

Credit “Harry Redknapp’s name crops up a lot and he has done an unbelievable job.

“I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for what he’s done at Tottenham.

“There are two or three other candidates along with Harry.

“I don’t see why we have to look abroad if English managers are good enough and I believe they are.

“For me, it’s always about picking the best manager to bring success to the country.” – The Sun