London: Former England manager Graham Taylor has urged all those who have been questioning Roy Hodgson's suitability for the post to lay off the new man in charge.
Hodgson was only confirmed in the post last week, but the way some sections of the British media have reacted to his appointment has stirred some uncomfortable memories for Taylor. The Sun tabloid, Britain's biggest-selling newspaper, responded to Hodgson's elevation to the England job by mocking the West Bromwich Albion manager's manner of speech with a headline of ‘Bwing on the Euwos!' (We'll see you in Ukwaine against Fwance)'.
Taylor was not alone in being dismayed but he had more reason than most to sympathise with Hodgson.
In 1992, Taylor was depicted as a turnip in the Sun after England's defeat by Sweden ended their involvement in that year's European Championships.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp had long been championed throughout the British media as the man to succeed Fabio Capello. The Italian resigned from the England post in protest at the Football Association's decision to strip John Terry of the captaincy of the national side.
But the FA opted to ignore the claims of the ‘fans favourite' and instead chose Hodgson.
He is vastly more experienced than the Spurs boss in international football.
