England manager Roy Hodgson has written off his country's chances of winning the World Cup in Brazil next summer, according to the BBC. Goals from Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard last night helped the Three Lion's see off Poland and secure their passage to FIFA's showpiece competition in 2014, but Hodgson today poured cold water over supporter's optimism.
"It is not always the best team in the competition who wins it. "But to suggest that because we have qualified from a difficult group makes us one of the favourites, I don't think many people would believe that."
England had only beaten whipping boys San Marino and Moldova prior to the latest qualifying double-header, which took in hard-fought wins over Montenegro and the Poles. However, they did finish the campaign undefeated with six wins and four draws, with the four goals conceded along the way giving them the joint-second-best defensive record in European qualification, behind Spain. And though Hodgson realises it is important to have hope, he warned that the odds will be stacked against England next year.
"We believe we can give a very good account of ourselves and then who knows?" said the 66-year-old. "The important thing is we are there. We know it is going to be a very tough task, especially in Brazil where a European team has never succeeded before."
Hodgson's words of caution echo those of new Football Association chairman Greg Dyke, who recently dismissed the Three Lion's hopes of success at next summer's World Cup. He said recently:
"I asked a bunch of journalists what would be seen as doing well in Brazil. "The consensus was if we reach the quarter-finals we'll do very well.
Brazil will clearly be the overwhelming favourites to win the World Cup as host nation. Luiz Felipe Scolari's side haven't lost a competitive match on home soil since 1975. Do England have any chance of glory next summer? What would be considered a respectable finish? Let us know in the comment section, below.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
