Rift: Chelsea defender John Terry (above) and Manchester United ace Rio Ferdinand (below)

FA chairman David Bernstein defended his decision to give 64-year-old Hodgson a four-year deal, worth around £3million a year plus bonuses, even though it will cover three tournaments.

'To do the job properly and successfully, the manager needs that support and time,' he said.

Bernstein also acknowledged that his own tenure would be defined by the Hodgson appointment and that his  four-strong Club England selection committee take full responsibility for it.

He said: 'We all stand and fall together on this. One of the most important decisions a chairman and board can make is the appointment of a manager and I won't have too many stabs at this. I hope this is my only appointment as that would be a great sign of success.'

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