Although Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has said that he expects to take some time away from management before taking another job, the Northern Irishman could be thrust into the limelight in an entirely different way with reports emerging that he’s been shortlisted as a potential replacement for England boss Roy Hodgson should the 68-year old not have his contract renewed by the Football Association.
This, of course, is bemusing news for Reds fans everywhere. Aside from the memorable 2013/2014 season, Rodgers time at Anfield wasn’t exactly the most fruitful for the Merseysiders with a long string of lukewarm results ultimately leading to his dismissal following the draw with Everton at the weekend. With boos raining down from the stands following the final whistle in his last few matches in charge of Liverpool, the Northern Irishman’s stake fell considerably on Merseyside — and if he was to take over the Three Lions, who haven’t had much of a following up North since the Thatcher days, that’s unlikely to change.
While it’s still early days and there’s no guarantee that Hodgson’s contract won’t be renewed, it could be a job worth holding out for. England have already qualified for Euro-2016 in France next summer going unbeaten in the process, but their propensity to choke when the big occasions roll around is something the FA will be taking into consideration when they decide whether to stick or twist.
Should the 68-year old fail to make at least the Quarter-Finals, he could be out of a job with a list of potential candidates more than willing to replace him. Rumours persist that the FA will be looking to appoint a “home grown” manager that closely follows their new policy on foreign players in the Premier League, but they won’t rule out bringing in a manager from abroad if he fits the bill. That being said, Rodgers is supposedly top of the list with Real Sociedad boss David Moyes and Everton manager Roberto Martinez — who has both played and managed in England for much of his career — to be considered as well.
Might be all nonsense, but remember when Steve McLaren was handed the reins? Anything can happen…
