Saturday 25 July 2015 13:43, UK
Roy Hodgson admits he is in an odd position on Saturday as he represents England at a World Cup qualifying draw knowing he might not be in charge when the campaign for Russia 2018 starts, writes Sky Sports News HQ's Gemma Davies.
The 2018 World Cup Preliminary Draw takes place at the lavish Konstantin Palace in St Petersburg - the place Russian President Vladimir Putin calls home when he is in town - and for England manager Hodgson, it is strange to be thinking of a tournament that is three years away.
"It seems very early and a little bit surreal. There will certainly be a lot of people here today who may not be here in a year's time," he told Sky Sports News HQ, referring to the start of UEFA qualifying in September 2016.
"We're hoping for a draw the players will relish but I'm certain none of them will be thinking about it just yet."
Hodgson's contract runs until the end of Euro 2016, but he is not the only one in that position. Wales boss Chris Coleman has led his side to the top of Group B as they look to qualify for next summer's finals in France; form that has led them to join England in pot one for Saturday's draw.
"I think it's fantastic for Wales to be placed so highly in the FIFA rankings and to have got such good results, and the same applies to Northern Ireland," he added.
It seems very early and a little bit surreal. There will certainly be a lot of people here today who may not be here in a year's time.
"And then there's the battle royale between Scotland and Republic of Ireland for possibly a play-off place."
For England and Wales in pot one, they will avoid the likes of Germany, Holland and Spain, but they still face the possibility of France, Italy or the Czech Republic who are amongst the second seeds.
England also have the added challenge of two extra qualifiers as UEFA rule that they should be one of the nations to play in a six-team group rather than five, but that is a task Hodgson is relishing.
"I prefer qualifiers to friendlies. Players have so many unbelievably important and competitive games for their clubs so friendlies sometimes aren't as easy for me to assess players. And sometimes harder for the players to get the same degree of motivation," he said.
Whether Hodgson is the man leading England in these qualifiers or not, he is convinced that they will be a stronger side by then but admits his team are a 'work in progress'.
Their current European qualifying form sees them top Group E with six wins from six, and regardless of the man in charge, any progress from that sort of return would put them in a strong position ahead of Russia 2018.
Watch the World Cup 2018 qualifying draw live on Sky Sports News HQ from 4pm.
