Roy Hodson, Manager England National Team and David Bernstein, FA Chairman
Euro 2012 Update: Roy Hodson Named England Manager
Roy Hodson signed a four-year deal today as manager of the England National Team. Hodgson has managed 18 teams - including three national sides - during his 36-year coaching career.
"It is a very proud day for me, I'm a very happy man to be offered the chance to manage my country," he said.
"I'm looking forward to the task ahead. Everyone knows it is not an easy one but I'm hoping that everyone, fans and supporters will get behind the team.
"It's the team that counts, they go out and win football matches. What I'll do is try to make sure the team is well prepared for the challenge ahead. I'm really looking forward to it."
Hodson, the 64-year-old West Brom boss was the unanimous choice of a four-man selection panel. Football Association chairman David Bernstein said Hodgson was earmarked as the preferred candidate a month ago. He was the only manager approached by the FA about the job despite speculation in the media linking Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp with the vacancy after Fabio Capello quit in February.
Wayne Rooney is suspended for the first two games of Euro 2012, but Hodgson intends to take the Manchester United superstar striker with him to Poland and Ukraine.
"I'm looking forward very much to Wayne Rooney coming to the Euros with us and his contribution, albeit that he can't play the first two games," he said.
Hodgson will have to gain the support of England players, including Wayne Rooney, John Terry, Gary Cahill, Steven Gerrard, and Rio Ferdinand.
"Every coach has got to win over the players. It's not the first time I've stepped into a group I don't know but my CV suggests I've succeeded fairly well with that," said the former Fulham, Liverpool and Inter Milan manager.
"Every coach taking a new job needs to make certain they get the players on side, united behind the cause. We're England, the England football team. We interest a lot of people. I have a lot of responsibility but then so do the players."
Harry Redknapp left a congratulatory phone message for Roy.
"I've got great respect for Harry. He sent me a voicemail message that I will reply to. He's been very gracious," said Hodgson. "I hope we will remain friends. We've unwittingly become rivals but it won't affect our relationship. He's dealt with it well in all his interviews and I appreciate it."
Roy Hodgson, born 9 August 1947),is an English former footballer, who is the current manager of West Bromwich Albion and the new boss of the England national team.
Hodson intends to play to win at Euro 2012.
"I think England always have to go into tournaments to win them because we are a major football nation. The players would be disappointed if we didn't expect less of them than trying to win the tournament. It's always a big job to win people over and it's important first of all to have the chance."
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- Poland v Greece Tickets EURO 2012 8 Jun 2012 18:00 National Stadium Warsaw Warsaw, Poland
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Euro 2012 Update
Ukraine are set to co-host the tournament with the final to played at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev along with three Group D games between France, England, Sweden and the hosts.
Several people have been injured in a series of explosions 400kms from Ukraine’s capital Kiev just weeks out from the start of Euro 2012. At least 14 people have been injured after several bomb blasts rocked the city of Dnipropetrovsk, raising concerns over security for Euro 2012.
The Ukraine’s Euro 2012 dreams of a tourist magnet event drawing favorable press to the former Soviet nation have had a set back just weeks before the kick-off.
Kiev has recently experienced explosions and violence over the alleged prison beating of hunger-striking ex-premier Yulia Tymoshenko.
The Ukraine, a 46 million nation, had been hoping to use its first major football event to impress the European fans who plan to trek beyond co-hosts Poland and visit Ukraine’s three gleaming new world-class soccer venues. Donbass Arena Donetsk, Ukraine, Olympic Stadium Kiev Kiev, Ukraine, an Metalist Stadion Kharkiv, Ukraine.
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Euro 2012 Tickets
Great Euro 2012 Final Tickets Still Available
The design of the UEFA Euro 2012 tickets was revealed for the first time at the National Stadium in Kiev, which will become the venue for the final on July 1, 2012.
Markiyan Lubkivsky, director of the Ukrainian Euro 2012 Organizing Committee, said. “I want to say that the ticket has many levels of protection. There are no chances to imitate it. The design incorporates elements of the national traditions and colors of Poland and Ukraine.”
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Sweden National Team Captain
EURO 2012 11 Jun 2012 20:45 Olympic Stadium Kiev Kiev, Ukraine
Sweden qualified for Euro 2012 and looked extremely impressive when beating World Cup finalists Holland, 3-2 back in October. The Swedes face Ukraine in the battle for the Euro 2012 championship.
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Sweden National Team captain and talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimović will figure heavily into the odds for Sweden defeating Ukraine in their upcoming Euro 2012 clash in Kiev.
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Superstar AC Milan striker Ibra has been in excellent goalscoring form for the Rossoneri all season and head coach Erik Hamrén will rely on him to add to his 29 international goals.
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In turn Ibrahimović will rely on Sunderland winger Sebastian Larsson to provide service for the powerful footballer. Reportedly Larsson is the best dead-ball specialist in the Premier League.
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Zlatan Ibrahimović is a Swedish football striker. He is currently playing for Inter Milan, in Italy and the Sweden national football team.
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Laurent Blanc, France National Team Manager
Euro 2012: France v England 11 Jun 2012 18:00 Donbass Arena Donetsk, Ukraine
The French National Team will take on England in the opening game of Group D at Euro 2012 in Donetsk on 11 June. France v England Tickets EURO 2012 11 Jun 2012 18:00 Donbass Arena Donetsk, Ukraine.
The French national side are looking in very good shape under boss Laurent Blanc going into the European championships - being unbeaten in their previous 18 games.
France manager, Laurent Blanc's contract ends this summer. He was offered a four-year extension in September before qualification for the finals had been secured. However he declined to sign the extension at the time, citing the need to reach Poland and Ukraine first.
Blanc may walk away from his position as boss of the French National Team if an extension to his current contract remain at an impasse and an "exceptional challenge" is offered to him by a leading club side.
Chelsea are searching for a long-term replacement for André Villas-Boas. Both Chelsea FC and Internazionale Milan are reportedly interested in signing Blanc though the 46-year-old insists he has yet to be approached by any club side.
Chelsea are willing to offer the Frenchman a staggering £9 million pounds annually to take over the reins at Stamford Bridge, claim French newspaper Le Parisien.
The former Inter and Manchester United defender will, however, listen to potential offers if the FFF do not return to the negotiating table.
"It's always gratifying when big clubs show an interest in you. My objective remains the European Championship. I am concentrating on that competition. But I would say – and not because I'm putting pressure on anyone, but because I think it – that I often hear it said that it's the boss who decides whether or not to extend the contract of a player or a coach at the end of their deal. I'm fine with that, but don't forget the employee can also make decisions for themselves," said Blanc.
"My intention is to carry on with the France national team. I haven't changed my mind on that. But the situation is that I have not extended my contract. And I'm not the kind of guy who goes knocking on the door – that should be clear."
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Robbie Keane, Ireland National Team
Euro 2012: Ireland v Croatia Tickets - Miejski Stadion Poznan, Poland
Giovanni Trapattoni may have already decided upon his 23-man squad for their Euro 2012 match at Miejski Stadion in Poznan Poland. Premium Euro 2012 soccer tickets are still available for the exciting match.
Ireland v Croatia Tickets EURO 2012 10 Jun 2012 20:45 Miejski Stadion Poznan, Poland
The Republic of Ireland boss confirmed that he intends to take five strikers to Poland and Ukraine.
Trapattoni will rely upon the experience of his senior players and that he will keep faith with the players who helped Ireland to qualify for their first major finals since the 2002 World Cup.
Midfielders Keith Fahey, Darron Gibson and Stephen Hunt are top choices along with back-up defenders Stephen Kelly, Kevin Foley and Darren O'Dea expected to travel. Richard Dunne, the talismanic central defender will play if fit.
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy/Aston Villa FC), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion FC), Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion FC), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City FC) are potentially on the striker list.
Trapattoni's instinct has long been not to meddle with the tried and trusted and, at this late stage, it feels unlikely that exciting young players such as McCarthy and McClean will make the cut from the standby group. The Republic's manager drew a typically colourful parallel to a ship with the wind in its sails that needed to maintain course.
"For this tournament, he's too young. The preference is experience. I hope we don't have injuries. The great squad is this, said Trapattoni regarding McCarthy and McClean.
"When I saw the tremendous reaction from the crowd to McClean coming on, I thought: 'Is Messi or Maradona or Pelé coming on?' I'm only joking. I know what happens with the people and it's good for him. There is enthusiasm. But McGeady, Duff. They deserve respect. Go slowly, slowly."
Republic of Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers: Shay Given (Aston Villa FC), Keiren Westwood (Sunderland AFC), David Forde (Millwall FC).
Defenders: John O'Shea (Sunderland AFC), Stephen Kelly (Fulham FC), Stephen Ward (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Richard Dunne (Aston Villa FC), Sean St Ledger (Leicester City FC), Darren O'Dea (Leeds United AFC), Kevin Foley (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC).
Midfielders: Glenn Whelan (Stoke City FC), James McCarthy (Wigan Athletic FC), Seamus Coleman (Everton FC), Keith Andrews (West Bromwich Albion FC), Keith Fahey (Birmingham City FC), Darron Gibson (Everton FC), Damien Duff (Fulham FC), Aiden McGeady (FC Spartak Moskva), Stephen Hunt (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC).
Forwards: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy/Aston Villa FC), Kevin Doyle (Wolverhampton Wanderers FC), Shane Long (West Bromwich Albion FC), Simon Cox (West Bromwich Albion FC), Jonathan Walters (Stoke City FC).
*Keiren Westwood and Stephen Kelly have withdrawn. Stephen Henderson (Portsmouth FC), James McClean (Sunderland AFC) and Paul Green (Derby County FC) have been added.
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Iker Casillas, Spain National Team
Euro 2012: Spain v Italy
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas cried after Andres Iniesta scored the winner for Spain in the World Cup, and the Spanish captain was emotional after the first World Championship triumph for Spain. It was due to the excellence of Iker Casillas that Arjen Robben was denied twice from point-blank range which led to Spain's victory.
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Harry Redknapp
EURO 2012 UPDATE
Harry Redknapp is the popular favorite to take charge of the England National Team taking the Three Lions to World Cup 2012, following Fabio Capello’s decision to resign last month.
Redknapp is unsure about leaving the Spurs to take the job managing England. The Spurs have risen to third place in the race for the Premier League trophy and and look like they will attain Champions League status this campaign.
“I have a very good job at Tottenham today and I like it. But I do not know. We will wait and see.”
“When you have a club, you are looking for a striker and you take them. When you’re coach, you must do with the players you have in your country,” he added.
“If you do not have a good scorer, you have none. And you almost never see the players. Two days every two months, it is very difficult.”
“The French team has a good team. It will be difficult for England at the Euros. The group is difficult with Sweden and Ukraine.
“I believe Laurent Blanc is doing a very good job. The 2010 World Cup was a disaster, but he has come in and done a great job.”
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EURO 2012 FINAL Tickets 1 Jul 2012 20:00 Olympic Stadium Kiev Kiev, Ukraine
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Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
Wayne Rooney #2 Goalscorer in Premier League
Wayne Rooney says it was a 'dream come true' to net two rapid goals in Manchester United's 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Roo scored his 16th and 17th Premier League goals of the campaign to help Sir Alex Ferguson's club return to the top of the table, even if it was for 24 hours only.
Man Utd superstar striker, Wayne Rooney (@ 17 goals) is catching up to Arsenal's Robin Van Persie (@ 22 goals) as top Premier League goalscorer - as Manchester United ( 58 points) moves in on Manchester City (60 points) at the top of the table in the Premiership title race.
"It's a great feeling to score two goals against Liverpool at Old Trafford," said Rooney. "It obviously helped us win the game and get three points which is something that I had dreamed about as a young boy.
"I think Liverpool came to frustrate us by putting men behind the ball, they did that to a certain extent but we kept pushing and opened them up a couple of times.
"We maybe should have done better in front of goal so when we went in to half time at 0-0, we knew we had to concentrate and come out quickly. We managed to do that and get the two goals early on. It was a great lift for us. It killed the game off a little bit and we felt we were in control."
Liverpool's Luis Suarez grabbed a consolation in the last ten minutes remaining.
"They had a little bit more of possession but they didn't really trouble us to be honest," Rooney continued. "They hit a few long balls into the box which we dealt with quite well and thankfully we saw the game out.
"Anything can happen in these games. Once they got the goal we knew we had to see the game out and we retreated a little bit to get men behind the ball and try to hit them on the counter attack. Thankfully, we managed to see it out and get the three points."
Twenty-four year old Wayne Rooney was born October 24, 1985. Rooney competes for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England National Team in World Cup soccer. Rooney is a forward at 5'10" and 172 pounds.
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Upcoming England National Team Fixtures
France v England Tickets EURO 2012 11 Jun 2012 18:00 Donbass Arena Donetsk, Ukraine
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Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, Man United
Carling Cup, FA Cup, Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea FC, Arsenal, Spurs, Liverpool FC and Champions League Football Tickets Available For All Matches
Do not miss the chance to watch your favorite clubs and players in action including Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Gareth Bale, Fernando Torres, Sergio Auguero, and Edin Dzeko. Manchester United is only 3 points behind Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, followed by Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea FC. All the top teams are clashing with other popular clubs this week.
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