Euro 2016: Senior FA figures unhappy with Roy Hodgson's England gamble

Failing to win group has harmed manager's hopes of winning a new contract

Roy Hodgson watches on during England's 0-0 draw with Slovakia (Getty)

Roy Hodgson’s selection gamble against Slovakia has damaged his prospects of earning a new contract as England manager with senior figures at the Football Association bemused and exasperated by the wholesale changes which resulted in the team failing to top their Euro 2016 group.

England will face the runners-up in Group F – Portugal, Austria, Hungary or Iceland – in a second round tie in Nice next Monday after finishing second in Group B following the goalless draw against Slovakia in Saint Etienne. While the FA hierarchy remain confident about the prospects of progressing to the last eight, regardless of the opposition on the Cote d’Azur, the failure to defeat Slovakia and win the group has left England on course for a quarter-final tie with hosts France at the Stade de France.

Had England topped the group, the route to the semi-finals would have been less perilous and senior figures within the FA now fear that Hodgson’s decision to make six changes — including resting captain Wayne Rooney — to his team against Slovakia has jeopardised England’s hopes of reaching the last four and potentially winning the tournament.

Hodgson is out of contract at the end of Euro 2016 and, although the 68-year-old is understood to be keen to remain in charge until the 2018 World Cup in Russia, no talks have yet taken place over a new deal.

And Hodgson’s future was placed in further doubt ahead of the game in Saint Etienne with FA chairman Greg Dyke – who will leave his post this summer – claiming that the former Liverpool and Fulham manager would only be certain of a new contract should England reach the semi-finals or exit at the quarter-final stage having shown signs of progress in terms of playing style.

Hodgson gave short shrift to Dyke’s comments, insisting that they made little difference to his future in the job. But with Hodgson perceived to have gambled unsuccessfully with his team against Slovakia, it is unlikely to be overlooked when the FA stages its post-tournament review later this summer.