The former Football Association chairman David Bernstein believes Roy Hodgson should keep his job – even if England fail to qualify for Fifa 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.
The Three Lions sit second in Group H of qualifying after being held to a 1-1 draw with Montenegro in March, leaving Hodgson’s side with a lot of work to do in their final four games.
England will face Moldova in their next fixture at Wembley on September 6 before travelling to Ukraine four days later and ending with back-to-back games at home to Montenegro and Poland in October.
Bernstein, who was replaced by Greg Dyke in July, insists that the former Liverpool and West Brom boss is the right man to help develop some promising young players who are coming through the ranks.
The 70-year feels that the England boss is working a long-term project which is looking beyond Brazil to the 2016 European Championship in France.
Hodgson was a surprise replacement for Fabio Capello in the May 2012 and remains unbeaten in 10 competitive matches with five wins and five draws, although they were defeated in a penalty shoot-out by Italy at Euro 2012.
Bernstein said: “I want Roy to develop players and get continuity over at least a four-year period.
“Not making Brazil would be a grave disappointment but I really hope Roy is able to see things through at least until the European Championship.
“It’s really important that we have continuity and stability with the manager’s position.”
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