FINNISH FOOTBALL TEAM(SUOMI-FINLAND)

Last Updated: Saturday, 1 December 2007, 16:17

Hodgson to return for Inter role

Finland came close to reaching the Euro 2008 finals under Hodgson Roy Hodgson is to become a consultant at former club Inter Milan following his resignation as Finland coach, according to reports in Italy. Hodgson, who coached Inter from 1995-97 and 1998-99, quit Finland following their failure to qualify for Euro 2008. The 60-year-old had been linked with the vacant England job, and also those with Scotland or Republic of Ireland. But a Finnish FA spokesman has claimed Hodgson has already joined Inter, even though the club have not commented. Finland, who have never qualified for a major finals, finished a close fourth behind qualifiers Portugal and Poland in Euro 2008 qualifying Group A. Hodgson's side won 24 points in Group A, in comparison to England who won 23 points in Group E. The Finnish FA said that Hodgson would help in finding his replacement. "The FA would have liked to have continued working with Roy Hodgson with whom Finland went so close to qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals," said a statement. Hodgson led Switzerland to the World Cup finals in 1994 and has also coached club sides Inter Milan and Udinese in Italy as well as Blackburn Rovers. Earlier this week he said he would be happy to advise the FA over how to improve the game in England if they wanted to talk to him. "I'd be interested to hear their questions and answer them, but I don't put myself forward as somebody who wants to lecture the FA," he told the BBC. "But if I was asked that question, I'd make myself available, as any Englishmen would, or as I'm sure any international manager would."