ROY WAS ON VERGE OF DEAL

THE FA and Roy Hodgson had a plan in place which was due to be confirmed today.

Victory in Paris against France – and even an honourable defeat – would have seen Hodgson’s contract extended to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

And he had already discussed a captaincy commitment with Wayne Rooney through to the next tournament.

The England squad would also have been happy to see the former Fulham and West Brom boss continue in his Three Lions role. That is my understanding, despite claims senior players were unhappy with his team selections – and Rooney has confirmed those rumours were untrue.

Hodgson actually enjoyed the respect of the squad, who were impressed with the way he handled Daniel Sturridge’s injury issues before Euro 2016. A firm line was adopted by Hodgson (below) in telling the Liverpool striker he had to prove his fitness in training to be part of the squad.

But the irony of the situation now is that Hodgson was actually let down by the players, who gave arguably England’s worst performance in a tournament when losing to Iceland.

It meant England had won just one of their last eight games in tournaments, spanning a four-year period and it was minnows Iceland who went through to play France today.

As manager, Hodgson took responsibility for England’s latest failure and resigned.

And that put an end to plans he and the FA had. PAUL HETHERINGTON AT the time of England’s elimination in France, to they were second on goal. Belgium for attempts third in the And they stood behind possession rankings Germany and Spain. that it It just goes to show much doesn’t matter how it’s of the ball you have, it what you do with that counts.