England

England boss Roy Hodgson not considering retirement

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 08 September 2014

England manager Roy Hodgson insists that he wants to continue coaching after revealing that he initially intended to retire seven years ago at the age of 60.

England manager Roy Hodgson has insisted that he is not considering retirement yet because he wants to lead the Three Lions into the Euro 2016 campaign in France.

The 67-year-old is preparing his side for tonight's qualifier, the first in their campaign, against Switzerland in Basel.

Hodgson has admitted that he told his wife that he would step away from the game seven years ago, but is now determined to carry on.

"If you start to be too philosophical and concerned with the years ahead, that's not the best way to prepare the team for the coming game," the Daily Star quotes Hodgson as saying.

"My major focus is the game, and that this group of players develop in the way I want to see, so we're a better team in France in 2016, a better team than we were in the last tournament.

"I don't want to make any bold statements at the moment, but my focus is on France 2016 and the development of a group I've introduced in the last few years."

The former Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion boss will turn 69 just 30 days after the Euro 2016 final in Paris.