Hodgson must be blamed for England’s Euro shambles

Manager could not deploy or motivate his players against Iceland, writes Kurtis Larson

Ex-Brazilian manger Luiz Felipe Scolari didn’t tuck his tail in the bowels of the Mineirao. It didn’t matter that he’d just overseen the most humiliating defeat in Brazilian soccer history. He faced the press following an infamous loss to Germany.

Roy Hodgson, on the other hand, jotted down a hollow statement after Monday night’s shocking defeat to Iceland, refusing to take questions. He finally did address the media on Tuesday, but really didn’t have answers, one of the undeniable reasons England fell so hard at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.

Since exiting Euro 2016, England’s loss has been scrutinized more than the recent political referendum. This was more than an Icelandic miracle. It was arguably the most shocking result in the history of international soccer.

So far, the English Football Association’s most embarrassing moment has been chalked up to character, talent, commitment, management, tactics, selection and systemic issues many claim are the only reason Hodgson got the England job in the first place.

Post-mortem hysteria is full of outlandish statements. It’s surprising Brexit hasn’t been blamed for England’s unthinkable exit.

The idea that England lacked talent is simply outrageous. Hodgson just didn’t know how to deploy it or motivate a group of quality players. There didn’t appear to be a plan or a purpose, especially in the wake of the master class performance Italian manager Antonio Conte exhibited in the Azzurri’s easily forgotten win over Spain.

There are similarities between Monday’s second-round winners. Both Conte and Iceland’s Heimir Hallgrimsson stress familiarity over big names. They govern their respective sides as if they’re managing a club team. Every player has a purpose.

They fight and contend and battle in a way that, at times, seemed lost on England, whose mental frailty must be chalked up to Hodgson’s inability to get the most out of his team — which appeared crippled by pressure as it attempted to push for an equalizer they weren’t close to realizing. The pressure and expectation undoubtedly got the better of them.

The aging Hodgson didn’t care about details. He’s what you call a roll-the-ball-out manager — someone who sits back and lets players get on with training. It’s more common than you think.

In the end, though, they were found out to have a failing recipe: tactical incompetence, spiced with a lack of true camaraderie.

England needs a manager with ideas and answers. Not a small statement written in the aftermath of a disaster.