Sunday 7 June 2015 16:03, UK
England boss Roy Hodgson almost became manager of the Republic of Ireland in 2007, it has been revealed by Don Howe.
Working with Don Givens and Ray Houghton, Howe was tasked with identifying a successor to Steve Staunton eight years ago, a role which eventually went to Giovanni Trapattoni following Hodgson’s move to Fulham.
Hodgson will be in the England dug-out for Sunday’s game against the Republic in Dublin, only the second time the teams have played each other since the game in 1995 which was abandoned due to crowd disturbances.
"Roy was close, very close, to taking charge of Ireland," Howe revealed. "I said from the start then that he was the man we needed. Roy is someone I've known for years.
"He knows all about management and coaching at the highest level, he knows what is needed for tournament football and he was the ideal fit.
"I arranged a meeting between Roy, myself and the others working for the FAI.
"Everything seemed to be on target but just as it looked like it was all coming together, Fulham came in and snapped him up.
"I couldn't blame them or Roy - it was a great opportunity for him and it was a huge success for both manager and club."
