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ESPNsoccernet: Europe |
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Friday, November 30, 2007
ESPNsoccernet: December 1, 10:09 PM UK
Hodgson quits Finland for Inter Milan post
HELSINKI, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Roy Hodgson quit his role in
charge of the Finland national team to take up a job working
alongside Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti, the British
coach said on Friday.
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Hodgson, who twice coached the Serie A side in separate
spells in the 1990s, said he had not ruled out the possibility
of taking another post with a national team.
'If a national team wanted to have me they would have to be
a) very quick and b) persuade the president to get rid of me
before he even takes me on,' Hodgson told a news conference.
He said he would start at Inter in January.
Finland, who have never reached for a major soccer finals,
finished a close fourth behind qualifiers Portugal and Poland in
Euro 2008 qualifying Group A.
'We would have liked to keep Roy as the coach, he has done a
fantastic job,' said football association president Pekka
Hamalainen, adding that Hodgson would help choose a successor.
An Inter Milan spokeswoman said the club had no information
on Hodgson rejoining the club but Italian media reports in
recent months said the Englishman was in the frame for an
upstairs role at the San Siro.
Coach Roberto Mancini led the side to a runaway title
success last season and they are three points clear in Serie A
this term.
President Massimo Moratti may feel he needs Hodgson to help
with signing players and other background work.
Hodgson first coached Inter between 1995 and 1997 and then
left the club again in 1999 after a short second stint in
charge.