Hodgson rules out Norway

Veteran coach focused on Fulham

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 10th January 2009

Hodgson rules out Norway

Hodgson: Going nowhere

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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Norway post.

A man who can boast the likes of Inter Milan and Udinese on an impressive CV has seen his stock on the rise of late following his exploits at Craven Cottage.

Hodgson has turned the Cottagers into a competitive Premier League outfit, guiding them to ninth spot in the table so far this term.

He admits to being flattered at speculation linking him with various prestigious posts, but insists he remains fully committed to the Fulham cause at present.

Respect

"It's a very interesting and high-prestige job (the Norway hot-seat) and I hope they find the right man," he said.

"But Fulham have treated me very well since I have come here, I enjoy my job here and I have never entertained the thought of breaking my contract with them.

"In football you can never be certain what tomorrow brings but at the moment I fully intend to respect my contract and I hope Fulham are as happy with me as I am with them."

Of more immediate concern to Hodgson is persuading influential midfielder Jimmy Bullard to remain at Fulham.

The former Wigan man has been strongly linked with a January exit from Craven Cottage, but his boss is determined to retain his services.

Hectic

"There is no change in our position. We want and expect Jimmy to stay here. He has a year and a half left on his contract and 18 months is a long time in football," said Hodgson.

"So until something happens to the contrary I will be counting on him as a Fulham player.

"It's unsettling, of course it is. It's a time where there is a lack of stability with the speculation but at least these days it's restricted to one month in the year.

"It makes it a hectic month for chief executives and agents, but for managers and coaches if we can be relatively sensible about the whole thing and not get upset when you read something linking you with a player you have never heard of, I don't think it's too big a problem.

"January is a time for teams who are maybe not doing very well and need to do something, or teams who have done pretty well and need an extra touch to maybe go all the way.

"But for lots of teams the ideal time to do business is in the summer and that is what we tried to do this year."