Silver lining: Hodgson looks on from the back of the Mercedes at Wembley

Meanwhile, Birmingham manager Chris Hughton was thought to be the preferred successor to Hodgson at the Hawthorns.

On Monday there was still bewilderment among senior FA figures over the process employed by the four-strong Club England board to recruit Hodgson.

They failed even to give Harry Redknapp the opportunity to interview for the post.

However, Redknapp was  phlegmatic about his situation last night, saying: ‘There’s no problem. If Roy takes the job I wish him all the best. He’s a great guy.

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