Roy Hodgson issues exit threat to England as FA eye Gary Neville and Alan Pardew

ALAN PARDEW and Gary Neville have emerged as the dream team to lead England at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after Roy Hodgson hinted that he could go this summer.

 

Neville and Pardew are both swiftly becoming two of England's best managers

 

The Football Association are expected to  turn to them if they fail to agree a new deal with 68-year-old Hodgson, whose present one expires after the European Championship finals in France.

Hodgson turned the heat up on his England bosses with a Christmas Day message that as good as said: back me or I'm off.

He said: "If we are going to discuss any extension to my contract which runs out in the summer I will have to sit down and see exactly what they have in mind.

 

"I want to know if I am welcome because you can outstay your welcome in places and sometimes it's better not to do that. 

"England are in exciting times at the moment with so many young players coming through. We have spent quite a long time with these guys and we believe there is great potential.

"And when the day comes for me to turn my back on it I will miss it that's for sure."

 

If that day does come this summer the FA have also made it clear that they favour a transfusion of younger blood. Pardew, 54, and 40-year-old Neville fit that bill.

Bookies William Hill actually make Neville 4/1 favourite for the job with Pardew second favourite at 8/1. And they are even offering odds of 20/1 on Jose Mourinho stepping up to the plate.

But FA sources suggest that Pardew's greater managerial experience would get him the nod over Neville for the top job if they have to part company with Hodgson.

 

Pardew is now also in the process of discussing an extension to his contract at Palace, but he has made no secret of the fact that he would welcome the chance to manage the national side.

He said: "I'm quite happy at Palace, but if you are English and don't want the England job there must be something wrong with you!"

Neville, now cutting his managerial teeth with Valencia, is set to return to the England fold with Hodgson for the Euros. How he fares in Spain will determine if and when he is prepared to return as Pardew's right hand man with England.

In the meantime Pardew will continue masterminding Palace's fairytale charge towards a place in Europe next season against managerless Swansea City.

Caretaker Alan Curtis will again be in charge of the struggling Welshman who are now understood to be talking to former Chelsea boss Roberto de Matteo about succeeding Monk as manager.