Roy Hodgson must win over public warns Alan Curbishley

Alan Curbishley has warned Roy Hodgson will have to overcome the fact he is not the popular choice if he becomes the new England manager.

The West Brom manager will hold talks with the Football Association about replacing Fabio Capello after the governing body identified him as their preferred candidate ahead of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.

Curbishley, who was interviewed for the England post in the past, claimed Hodgson had the credentials for the job but would have to change public opinion.

He told Sky Sports News: "I think if you look at Roy's CV, he's vastly experienced and I think most people's memories just go back to Liverpool.

"I think most people who looked at Roy's CV would understand why the FA are going down that route. He's well respected within the game, but I think the public perception is the Liverpool situation and perhaps the fact Harry was the people's favourite. He's got to overcome that."

But he added: "I think he'd take it in his stride."

Curbishley claimed Hodgson would suit the FA's job description.

He said: "David Bernstein, the head of the Football Association, is looking for a certain type of manager I think and with the big move to St George's Park (the national football centre) coming up, it was a manger that was going to embrace all levels of the game and be involved on the coaching side. I think when it comes down to that then Roy Hodgson ticks most of the boxes.

"I think the job description probably suits Roy more than Harry. I think firstly the FA, once they got the vacancy, decided on a certain type of manager they were looking for and probably Roy ticks more boxes than Harry in that respect."

Former England midfielder Matt Le Tissier labelled Hodgson as "the cheap option and the safe option".

The West Brom boss is out of contract at the end of the season so no compensation would be due to the Baggies. The FA would have to pay to release Redknapp from his Tottenham contract.

"I think all the players, all the fans and all the media wanted Harry Redknapp to have the job," Le Tissier told Absolute Radio.

"It seems to me - as an outsider looking on - the FA has gone for someone who's going to do as he's told (and) isn't going to cost anything in terms of compensation."

"It looks to me like it's the cheap option and the safe option... whether or not it's the right option only time will tell.

"There are a whole bunch of issues... If you look at the committee that is selecting the next England manager. One of them, I think I'm right, is (Director of Football Development) Trevor Brooking.

"I think Trevor and Harry had a falling-out many years ago and I'm not sure if that's played a part in one of the reasons why they've decided against going for Harry.

"The FA has not been known for making fantastic choices in the past and seems to have continued that tradition.

"I've never really been excited by Roy Hodgson's teams and I think that's where my reservation stems from. I'd like to see the England team play with a little style and I think that's what the fans want as well."

But West Brom player Steven Reid came out on Twitter in support of his boss.

"Obviously those in the press who have hammered Hodgson have never met or worked with the man," he wrote.

PA