FA Chairman David Bernstein welcomed Roy Hodgson to Wembley Stadium as he signed a four-year contract becoming the new England Manager.
“We initially put together a list of names for consideration, and over a period of time we reduced that down to a shortlist,” explained Bernstein. “Roy emerged as the stand-out candidate.
“We did not formally approach West Brom until last week, before being given permission to speak to Roy at the weekend after the Aston Villa fixture.
“We met at Wembley for the first time yesterday and quickly agreed Roy is the right man to guide us through the European Championship and future tournaments.”
Bernstein also highlighted Hodgson’s previous experience at international level with Switzerland, UAE and Finland, with whom he has managed a total of 80 games.
The 64-year-old also took the Swiss to their first Finals tournament in 28 years when they qualified for the 1994 World Cup.
“I want to make it quite clear that with the board we were unanimous in choosing Roy, a manager with vast experience of international and European football.
“In fact, this is the first time The FA has appointed an England Manager with any previous international experience.
“This I am sure will be of great benefit to him in making the adjustment from club management. The infrequency of matches and limited time spent with players will not be new to him.”
He continued: “His knowledge of the international game is unquestioned, and not just because he has twice been in charge at Inter Milan. He has outstanding contacts through his work with UEFA and FIFA, can walk into any training ground across the world and commands respect wherever he goes.
“We have also been impressed with the job he did at Fulham, guiding them to the Europa League Final two seasons ago beating clubs such as Juventus and Hamburg along the way, and preceding those two victories with a notable success against Ukrainian side Shakhtar in Donetsk.
“While it didn’t work out for him at Liverpool, the job he has done at West Brom again shows his ability to build a team with the resources available and he is on course to take the club to their highest finish for many years.”
Hodgson’s first task will be to prepare a squad for Euro 2012 next month, and his first match in charge against Norway in Oslo on 26 May.
But Bernstein also said that Hodgson will be looking to the future development of the Three Lions with tournaments in Brazil and France in their thoughts.
“While our immediate focus is of course this summer’s European Championship, it is also very important that we work towards the longer term and develop young talent,” he added.
“With this in mind Roy has been given a four-year contract which will take us through the next World Cup in Brazil and the following European Championship in France in 2016.”
The new Manager will take charge of England at Wembley for the first time, when the Three Lions take on Belgium on Saturday 2 June at Wembley Stadium (kick-off 5.15pm). Tickets are available at www.TheFA.com/Tickets
