Euro 2012: England manager Roy Hodgson has restored pride and …
They want more fluidity in midfield, more subtlety in possession, but they
like Hodgson’s demeanour. They are beginning to understand how highly
regarded Hodgson is on the Continent. Whenever he arrived at the Donbass
Arena in Donetsk or the Olympic Stadium in Kyiv, the 64-year-old former
member of Uefa’s technical studies group was always warmly received.
It was not simply Nyon blazers queuing up to greet him. Celebrated players
such as Andrea Pirlo sough him out, giving the former Inter Milan coach a
peck on the cheeks.
For all the frustration inherent in England’s departure, Hodgson has returned
from these euros with reputation enhanced.
On one balmy evening in Krakow, I encountered Hodgson, strolling through the
elegant centre near England’s hotel. As we chatted, assorted England fans
rushed across to shake his hand.
One supporter stumbled past, holding out his right hand while his left
balanced a case of 24 beers on his shoulder.
All of them thanked Hodgson for reinvigorating the team, for getting the
players to sing the National Anthem from that first game in Norway, a big
issue for supporters.
Hodgson told his players on the day of the home game with Belgium that this
was Jubilee weekend and that respect for the monarchy was required. Most
needed little prompting. Anyone close to Joe Hart during the anthems risks
ear damage.
England’s hard-core support love all this, this show of patriotism.
Those who melt their credit cards following England almost see Hodgson as one
of them. His background of Croydon, and modest playing days at Gravesend and
Northfleet, Maidstone United and Carshalton Athletic chime with many of
those who follow England and eschew the elite clubs.
At its peak in Ukraine, England’s support touched 6,000, excluding the
considerable throng of East Europeans who seemed obsessed with all things
Three Lions.
One Ukrainian with a Jedward-style quiff wore the full Joe Hart goalkeeper’s
kit, including gloves. Another Russian hooligan bore assorted England
tattoos.
These were camp followers, fascinated by the England hard-core with their
chants, St George’s flags and “in Roy we trust” paraphernalia.
This 6,000, mainly members of englandfans, follow England through thick
and thin, or “thin and thinner” as one observed ruefully, because it’s
England, because they enjoy exploring new places, because of the nights out.
They never really took to Fabio Capello. Some of the scepticism was borderline
xenophobia, some was borne simply of a desire for England to be represented
by an Englishman. Capello’s failure to grasp the language antagonised many.
So Hodgson has been accepted readily, almost unquestioningly. Full scrutiny
has been postponed until qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.
These fans are no fools. One foot soldier from “Roy Hodgson’s Barmy Army” sent
me this missive yesterday, outlining his frank view of the manager to date:
“Jettisoned into the job inheriting an average squad and getting out of the
group was deemed a success.
Appointing Gerrard helped. We will need to improve sooner than later. Will the
fans accept a few losses to try and experiment with a different system and a
few fresh faces is the big question. Don’t qualify for the WC and he’s gone.
Difficult!’’ Hodgson should guide England successfully along the road to
Rio.
Already he is planning a visit to Brazil to explore bases. This is not a
presumption that England will qualify. Such arrogance is not Hodgson’s
style. This is simply attention to detail, ensuring the best base, a
sensible step.
England should progress from a group containing Ukraine, Poland, Montenegro,
Moldova and San Marino. If he has the real support on side, and also
enticing an extraordinary 23 million viewers to tune into the BBC before
crushing reality took hold as penalties loomed, Hodgson also appears to
enjoy the respect of much of the multi-headed media beast.
Back-stage at the Donbass after Ukraine game, I explained to Hodgson how the
opposition coach Oleg Blokhin had offered a critical local reporter outside
to finish off a “man conversation”.
Hodgson looked wide-eyed at the mere possibility of concluding a debate with
fists not words. He’s too civilised.
On Monday, en route to Krakow airport, Hodgson called in at the media hotel
and talked intelligently and honestly about England’s flaws and his hopes
for the future.
There was none of Capello’s glances to his interpreter, none of Kevin Keegan’s
hyperbole. Hodgson has introduced perspective into the febrile England
debating chamber.
He acknowledged the need to “bridge gaps” between England and more technically
advanced nations like Italy.
“What can you do except work really?” he reflected. Work short-term in
training. Work long-term in developing players. The FA chose yesterday to
release photographs of St George’s Park “a major part of the long-term
future of the Three Lions” opening soon.
Good skills coaches will be trained and dispatched like missionaries across
the land. Important votes have been passed to encourage small-sided games at
youth level. Hodgson knows how vital these are.
Unfortunately for England’s current manager, any golden crop will not be
reaped during his tenure. In their hearts and heads, England fans know that.
So they will sing Hodgson’s name just for bringing a bit of pride back, for
doing the best he can with limited resources.