Roy Hodgson resigns: England players lost faith in manager for continuing to select Raheem Sterling - reports
England were knocked out of the competition in humiliating fashion by Iceland
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Your support makes all the difference.Senior members of Roy Hodgson’s squad reportedly doubted the departing England manager’s decision making during Euro 2016, questioning the selection of Raheem Sterling for the 2-1 defeat by Iceland on Monday.
England were knocked out of the competition in humiliating and damaging fashion by a country with a population similar to that of Leicester as Hodgson recalled Sterling, the Manchester City forward, to his starting line-up.
The 21-year-old, signed by City for an initial £44m last summer from Liverpool, had attracted derision on the terraces and on social media after a succession of disappointing displays.
Hodgson’s side finished second to rivals Wales in Group B, which they were expected to win comfortably, before being embarrassed by Iceland in Nice.
The 68-year-old’s management has attracted considerable criticism from all quarters but, according to Sky Sports News, those concerns were shared by some within Hodgson’s changing room.
Despite being popular with his team-mates, the report states that England players were stunned at Hodgson’s preference to play him in crucial matches despite suffering from a crisis in confidence.
Many senior figures are said to have wanted Adam Lallana to start in Sterling’s place but the Liverpool midfielder remained a secondary option throughout the tournament.
Other grievances include Hodgson’s constant formation changes – often switching between 4-3-3 and a diamond system – while others also begrudged him for making six changes for the 0-0 draw against Slovakia.
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