BREAKING NEWS: Hodgson steps down as Finland head coach - heads for Inter Milan

British coach chooses Italy, despite rumours of interest from Ireland and elsewhere

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The Finnish Football Association has reported on its website that the head coach of the Finnish national team Roy Hodgson will not be extending his contract, which runs out today. This means Hodgson will not be guiding Finland into the World Cup qualifying matches next autumn.
      The Finnish FA had hoped to secure Hodgson's continued services, after he had led the team close to qualification for the Euro 2008 finals
      The British-born coach, who took over officially from the beginning of 2006, will now be seeking challenges elsewhere.
     
The search for a new coach will begin immediately, under the direction of FA President Pekka Hämäläinen.
      Hodgson will also take part in the selection process.
      The Finnish FA are to make a statement with further details on this matter later today, Friday.
     
     
UPDATED 16:15
     
     
At the Finnish FA press briefing on Friday afternoon it was announced that Roy Hodgson would be joining the managerial staff of Inter Milan as an international coordinator.
      Hodgson coached Internazionale on two occasions in the past, from 1995-97 (when he took them to the final of the UEFA Cup: they lost to Schalke of Germany in a penalty shootout) and again briefly in 1999, before he left to take charge of the Swiss national squad.
     
The latest announcement will presumably put to bed speculation that Hodgson might be in the frame for the Ireland, Scotland, or even England managerial positions that have recently become vacant.
      Hodgson gave an assurance that he had enjoyed his two years at the helm of the national squad, but admitted that he missed the day-to-day nature of working in club football.
     
"It has been a good two years. I made my decision earlier, but I wanted to ensure that the team had peace and quiet until the end of the qualifying campaign", said Hodgson. He will start with Inter Milan in the New Year, when his role at the club will presumably be firmed up.
      Internazionale have already qualified from the group stage of this year's European Champions League and are currently three points clear at the top of Italy's Serie A.
     
The Finnish FA hope to find a replacement for the vacant coaching position by the end of January.
      Today's developments may also prompt some of the older players in the national side to contemplate retiring from the international game.
      One case in point is central defender Sami Hyypiä, who has already once considered withdrawing from international duties but was persuaded to change his mind when Hodgson was appointed in late 2005.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Roy Hodgson being tipped as possible new Ireland coach (21.11.2007)
  Finland to meet Germany and Russia in 2010 World Cup qualification (26.11.2007)

Links:
  Roy Hodgson (Wikipedia)

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