England recently parted ways with Stuart Pearce as the under 21 team manager after a run of poor results in the last three years at a time when a lot of progress was expected from the young team. The English FA have been searching for a replacement for the last few weeks. In the meantime, the team was scheduled to play against Scotland in the second week of August. The English FA have decided to ask manager Roy Hodgson to be in charge of the team for this one match, and this offer has been gladly accepted by the former Liverpool and West Brom manager.

England lost all three matches at the recent Euro under 21 championship, and were knocked out of the competition in the most disappointing manner. As a result, the English FA decided not to extend the contract of former Manchester city manager Stuart Pearce. Incidentally, the England senior team will also be playing on the same day, and it is learnt that Hodgson will be back at Wembley to take charge of the senior team as usual. The senior team will also be playing against Scotland. A number of candidates have been linked with the role in the last few weeks.

Former Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate and former Blackpool manager Michael Appleton are some of the names mentioned.

“There is an opportunity while the recruitment process goes on to work with this squad and it is something I very much wanted to do. I watch the under-21 fixtures and I was in Israel for the European Championship but, as a coach, nothing can beat the training field and the team hotel for getting to know players properly. In a World Cup year it makes absolute sense while there is the chance to do it,” said Hodgson.