ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
EXCLUSIVE: David Bernstein says that England will go into the Euro 2012 Championship finals with high expectations.
The FA chairman has come through a period of intense scrutiny following the departure of Fabio Capello as England manager. Having this week unveiled Roy Hodgson as Capello's successor, Mr Bernstein is confident the national team will give a good account of themselves under the new boss.
"The Euros will be a very challenging tournament," Bernstein said. "Every side is strong and England are in a strong group, but we will go there with high expectations."
Mr Bernstein said that he was "quite pleased" by the media and public reaction to the appointment of Hodgson. He said: "It's been pretty positive.
"Football is a national obsession. We're under scrutiny but what we all want is a successful England football team.
"It's been a while since the team did well in a major tournament. We believe that, with the set-up, the players coming through, the new national football centre and a fine new manager on board, we really hope the team does well and gives the public what they want."
Looking back on the managerial selection process, he said: "It was executed in three months. We developed a very careful strategy of working towards an approach and I believe we did this professionally and confidentially.
"It was a difficult process but not a difficult decision.
"I'm delighted with the efficiency of our strategy although the decision of whom to appoint was made a month ago. I'm very pleased we've named the man of our choice."
Mr Bernstein was speaking at a UJS Breakfast Briefing in central London on Wednesday.