Former England and Tottenham boss Terry Venables says Fulham manager Roy Hodgson must be the next coach of England.

In his column for The Sun, El Tel wrote: "The way the Fulham boss has prepared and deployed his players has raised eyebrows and respect across Europe.

"And who would have dared place a bet in January that Hodgson's side would be the only English team to reach a European final this season?

"Just as impressive, though, has been the way Hodgson has managed to defy the size of his humble squad by maintaining their mid-table position in the Premier League.

"This despite a relentlessly gruelling match schedule of Sunday-Thursday-Sunday.

"Yet Fulham have come through it all - while their manager has emerged as THE outstanding candidate to replace Fabio Capello as Three Lions coach when the time comes.

"That time could come in the summer, or it could come in a few years.

"Whatever, we now have not only an internationally-experienced coach capable of replacing him, but an ENGLISH internationally-experienced coach able to step straight into the role."