Manager says both have potential for national job after US excursions‘Their effect on English football over 18 years has been incredible’

Roy Hodgson has said both Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard have the potential to be England manager despite neither of them having finished playing yet or made an initial foray into coaching.

Comparisons between the two midfielders have seemed endless during their decorated playing careers but, with both departing the Premier League for the United States, attention has already turned to which of Lampard and Gerrard will make the better manager.

“Probably, yes,” Hodgson said when asked if they could one day be in charge of England. “Before that I’m sure the first people who will try to get hold of them when they return will be Liverpool and Chelsea. I’m pretty sure of that but who’s to say they can’t be members in an English set-up as well? They certainly know England. They’ve both had 100 caps but it’s not only their playing ability. It’s their leadership qualities. They’re both leaders.”

Hodgson refused to choose which would be the more likely, however. “Both of them have the same ability to do that. I wouldn’t want to put a cigarette paper between them in that respect.”

When pushed further on giving an endorsement, however, the manager reined in his thoughts, saying it would be a decision for Greg Dyke, the chairman of the Football Association. “Well, then of course it’s headlines: ‘Hodgson says Gerrard or Lampard for England manager’. I don’t select the England manager, that’s for sure, so that’s a question for Greg. Ask Greg that one.”

Hodgson was generous in his praise for both, saying they were role models for their international team-mates, adding he could not thank them enough for their contributions during his time in charge of England.

“Their effect on English football over 18 years has been quite incredible but I’d rather speak personally,” Hodgson added. “What they’ve done for me during my time as England manager has been quite fantastic – not only on the field as players and in training as players but also as leaders and characters. They’ve both been outstanding.

“They’ve been real role models for the rest of the players. They’ve had a natural authority due to the fact they are such good players but they have used their authority in the right way to encourage the younger players to make certain that their strong ethos, which as a coaching staff we share, is spread out among all the players. I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done.”

The manager also believes both will return from their US excursions with an increased wealth of knowledge and believes that will serve English football well in the future.

Gerrard will join LA Galaxy in July and Lampard will finally appear for the new MLS franchise, New York City FC, having spent the season at Manchester City.

“I really hope they enjoy their American adventures. I think they will. It will give an extra string to their bow. They will come back even stronger individuals and leaders than they already are. We will see an awful lot of benefits going forward with those two players. I can’t imagine a long–term future in English football without major contributions from Gerrard and Lampard.

“I wish them well and thank them for all the work they’ve done for me and the country while I’ve been manager.

“It’s great that their contribution is so globally recognised and appreciated – not just among the English mass media, who know them so well, but worldwide. You won’t find anybody who will tell you anything other than that Gerrard and Lampard are top top-class international players. I wish them well.”