England manager Roy Hodgson has revealed he is still learning to deal with the pressure that comes with managing the national side, but admits he does not enjoy it.
Hodgson was criticised for the manner of England’s exit from Euro 2012 on a penalty shootout at the hands of Italy, and he has aknowledged he is still learning about what the job involves.
“I don’t know how much I enjoy it,” Hodgson told reporters.
“I enjoy the job of being the England national team manager and I accept the things that go with that.
“I certainly don’t seek out the cameras but I know they’re going to follow me and I have to learn to live with it.
“I’m sure I will get caught out on many occasions doing something I shouldn’t!”
Hodgson also stated he believes the issue of a club versus country balance to be an ongoing issue.
He added: “We can never get away from the fact we as a national team don’t pay the players.
“They play for the honour of representing their country, and their money and livelihood comes from the clubs.
“Which master do you serve, the one you want to because you want to play for your country or the one who pays your wages?
“It hasn’t been a problem so far, the clubs have been very co-operative and there have been no problems with players.
“I’ve been party to it with Switzerland and Finland, situations where clubs have an important game coming up and would rather their player stay with them rather than risk injury.
“It’s better now FIFA have these dates where the club game is closed down for 10 days. They’re doing everything they can to ensure the clubs don’t suffer from loaning their players out.
“The players do value it. On the evidence of the Euros, the commitment is first-class.
“Twenty-two million people in England tuned in to see our game against Italy – it’s been suggested the national team is not viewed as being as important as the Champions League but more people watched our match than the Champions League final.”
Hodgson also refused to be drawn on the issue of David Beckham’s exclusion from the Great Britain Olympic football team by coach Stuart Pearce, but said he is keen to see how the young side fares.
He said: “Stuart was given the autonomy to select his team, it was his decision that David would not be a part of it and it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be involved in any comments towards that.
“I’m sure the decision has been debated pretty thoroughly but I’ve not been a part of it.
“It should be a very good event, and their group is a very interesting one.
“It’s a very good competition because it’s open to the top professionals, that’s very different to the old days.”
Great Britain will open their Olympic campaign at Old Trafford on July 26 when they take on Senegal.
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