Egil Olsen: England "lucky" to get Roy Hodgson

By Pascal Lemesre, Football League Editor | 26 May 2012

Norway coach Egil Olsen, speaking ahead of this evening's friendly, thinks that England were "lucky" to secure Roy Hodgson as the national manager.

Norway coach Egil Olsen has said that England were "lucky" to secure the appointment of Roy Hodgson as national manager.

Olsen's side take on England tonight and the 70-year-old, who had a spell in charge of English side Wimbledon between 1999 and 2000, expects England to qualify from their Euro 2012 group next month.

"Roy has been national for coach for many countries and has had a lot of experience. It is a lucky choice for England and good luck to him," Olsen said.

"I hope he loses to us before winning the rest of his matches. But England should be number one or two in their European group.

"After that it is a cup: quarter-finals, semi-finals, and you never know what will happen. It's a random chance. It is much, much tougher to be English manager than Norwegian, but the salary is better."

Olsen added that he is looking to protect an impressive record from his playing days when he faces Hodgson's men in Oslo.

He added: "I played four times against England and have never lost. Never lost against England or Brazil."

Hodgson confirmed yesterday that Andy Carroll will start against the Norwegians this evening.