The Football Association chief is due for retirement at the end of next season when he turns 70 but he would like to continue his work with the Three Lions
Football Association chairman David Bernstein has confirmed that he wishes to stay with the organisation beyond next May when he is due to stand down and retire.The former Manchester City chairman joined English football’s governing body in January 2011 and has had a steady and relatively drama-free tenure in charge after previous high-profile scandals saw the likes of Lord Triesman and Mark Palios leave the organisation in controversial circumstances.
Bernstein's most high-profile actions have come in the form of opposing Fifa’s single-candidate presidential election, stripping John Terry of the England captaincy and appointing Roy Hodgson as Three Lions boss.
And the 69-year-old, who is currently with the England squad as they compete in Euro 2012, has admitted that he would like to extend his stay.
"I am enjoying it very much and the honest answer is yes [I would like to stay on]," he told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek.
"But it is something I don't want to get involved with and will be decided by other people."
Having taken part in Hodgson's appointment, Bernstein admits he has been pleasantly surprised by the 64-year-old's good start and highlighted his demeanour as key to that success.
"I didn't know Roy hardly at all beforehand but he is a pleasure to deal with," he said.
"All the things we hoped for in his early days are coming through. His experience is fantastic and the fact he has been involved in international tournaments before is beneficial.
"He is enjoying himself and that enjoyment is feeding through to the players.”
After an opening day draw with France in Donetsk, England dramatically defeated Sweden 3-2 in their second match to ensure that a point against hosts Ukraine will be enough to progress to the next round.
A victory would give the Three Lions a chance of avoiding a potential clash with world champions Spain, but the FA boss is cool on his side’s chances of progression.
"We mustn't get too carried away. Ukraine are going to be very difficult opposition,” he said.
"We are playing away from home in front of a very intense crowd. It will be quite an achievement to get the result we need to get through.
"Getting out of the group was certainly our first stage of a degree of success. We have every chance of doing it but it has to be done.
"Real success is winning the tournament but there is a long way to go from where we are now to that.”
|
