Hodgson's management of Fulham has impressed the Football Association

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson admits he would be honoured if he was offered the job of coaching the Great Britain football team at the 2012 Olympics.

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman intends to appoint the coach later this year and Hodgson is believed to be among those in the running.

"2012 is a long way off but whoever gets that job, it is going to be a great honour for them," he said.

"If people thought I would be the right man, I would be happy to take the job."

Triesman said before the weekend he was looking for an English coach to take charge of the Olympic team.

Sir Alex Ferguson was originally earmarked for the role when it was hoped that all four home nations would contribute to an all-British team.

But Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have indicated that they would not participate on political grounds so an all-English team is set to compete under the Great Britain banner.

England coach Fabio Capello would only enter the running if it was decided to consider foreign bosses for the role.

606: DEBATE Do you think Hodgson or Pearce would be right for the job?

Hodgson, 62, is vastly experienced in world football having coached Inter Milan, Udinese, Blackburn and the Swiss national side.

He added: "This is news to me. I've been a major contender to be England manager as well and I've never had the job.

"If you want to know has there been any contact from anyone regarding the Olympic team, then the answer is 'no'.

"There is a lot of time between now and 2012 and I know nothing about it apart from what I'm learning from you guys now."

England Under-21 manager Stuart Pearce is also believed to be on the shortlist.

Triesman said: "We are now going to start looking at this in earnest and I would be very disappointed if we have not appointed a coach for the Olympic team by the end of the calendar year.

"I think the coach needs that length of time to identify the players who will make up his squad and start working with them to develop a team spirit.

"We cannot appoint a Scot, Welshman or Northern Irishman because that would go against our agreement with the other home nations.

"Having a foreign coach is not entirely out of the question but it will be fantastic to have an Olympics on home soil so it would be great to have a home-grown coach if we can.

"The most important thing is who would be the best person, and we also have to ensure that any appointment does not interfere with the preparations for the World Cup."

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