Hodgson leaves England talks with Euros itinerary

LONDON — Roy Hodgson left Wembley Stadium on Monday after four hours of talks with Football Association executives, looking poised to take charge of the English national team and clutching a draft itinerary for the European Championship.

While the discussions were described by the FA as "positive," the West Bromwich Albion manager has not yet been announced as Fabio Capello's successor.

The post has been vacant since Capello's resignation on Feb. 8. England is due to travel at the start of June to Poland, where the team is based for the tournament, which is being co-hosted with Ukraine.

England's first-round opener is against France on June 11.

The FA overlooked the favorite, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, and opted instead to approach Hodgson. While even some players had publicly backed Redknapp for the job, the Spurs manager said he had no problem with the FA's decision.

"I don't hold grudges, I don't feel like that," Redknapp said. "There's no problem. If Roy takes the job I wish him all the best. He's a great guy. "I'm sure he'll be a big success. I still think England's got some great players, I really do."

Taking charge of England would be the pinnacle of a 36-year coaching career for the well-traveled Hodgson.

The 64-year-old Londoner has had spells with clubs in England, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Switzerland and Italy, where he was twice in charge of Inter Milan.

Hodgson guided tiny Fulham to the 2010 Europa League final — beating Juventus along the way — and was voted manager of the year by his fellow coaches for leading the west London club to a record-high position of seventh in the Premier League.

He was subsequently lured to Liverpool, where he had an unsuccessful six-month stint and was fired in January 2011.

But West Brom handed Hodgson a swift chance to rebuild his reputation a month later and he repaid the club's faith in him by keeping the club in the Premier League. West Brom is 10th in the standings with two matches to go.