What next for Roy Hodgson and England after World Cup misery?

Will this England team cause more worry for Roy?

This World Cup has been brilliant but for the England squad, they are enjoying it from various spots around the Globe alas. Alex Johnson looks into what happened in Brazil and what next for this England side.

As England arrived back at Manchester Airport after a poor World Cup, the number of people watching them touch down amounted to none!

The usual hard-done-by hullabaloo, such as the goal-line technology debate from the 2010 tournament, was missing and just a silent exit from the competition - no fuss, no frills, no controversy this time.

This England side had not been expected to reach the next round and yet there were calls in the press and on national commercial radio for the sacking of head coach, Roy Hodgson, as his side collected only one point from their three matches.

As usual the criticism came from time-filling radio stations, almost as if someone from behind the sofa shouting "sack him" when the majority can see what the coach is trying to achieve. It goes without question that Hodgson made some errors, but on the whole the evidence suggested that there could be a bright future for the England national team.

Take a look at the defeat in the opening match. An expansive start, England pressed Italy back with the forward runs of youngster Raheem Stirling. Although, (and here is the first error) Stirling was played out of position. Normally for his Liverpool side, he operates on the wing.

This time with Wayne Rooney being pushed out wide to accommodate the 19-year-old, England went forward but Rooney was like a lost soul, and whilst England played well, they didn't play well enough.

England changed their strategy for the next match against Uruguay, and whilst they named Rooney in a central position, the players looked scared and nervous. A defeat would almost end England's World Cup and the players rather than thrive off that, allowed it to consume them....and England lost again.

Granted it wasn't until the defeat of Italy by Costa Rica that England were mathematically knocked out. How embarrassing is it though to be knocked out of a tournament without even playing? The calls went into overdrive.

Where do England go from here? Qualification for Euro 2016 (which is to be held in France) starts in September when England will face a Switzerland side in Basel, a side which on the face of it, are a much better proposition than England are right now.

Roy Hodgson, with confirmation from the Football Association that he has a role to play for the next two years (that's when his contract ceases), will need to act quickly with the re-shaping of the squad. Too many times have England powered through qualification and disappointed when Europe or the World watches, too many false hopes from qualification prior to the 'real deal'.

Hodgson will be 67 by the time the qualification section begins and many feel he will need to move on some of his veterans from the squad.

Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard have failed to announce their retirement from international football, and some believe that decision should be taken out of their hands. The two midfielders have been superb in their efforts for the national side and have always shown desire and effort when turning out in the England shirt, but surely they have reached the end of the international road.

For England to move on, then a requirement is for a team that grows together, a side that has experience of playing together on a regular basis, almost a club side on a national scale.

Uruguay were a fine example of a side growing together under one manager. Since Oscar Tabarez took over in 2006, he blended a team together, who were roughly the same age and it culminated with the side winning the 2011 Copa America and the finest Uruguayan side for decades.

Young players will be the way forward for England, with the side built around Wayne Rooney. Players like Stirling, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw, Jack Wilshere, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott, who is expected to be fully fit, by the time the qualifiers come around.

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill will probably get the England captaincy following Gerrard's retirement.

Hodgson has worked with some of the younger players before when he trained the Under 21's when England were in-between coaches. England beat Scotland 6-0 in Hodgson's one and only match in charge in 2013.

The press in 2010 called for England to change, to adapt and to progress, however, to date they have evolved only slightly. The next two years should be seen as a development curve, grooming the new manager, the new players and whilst listening to the FA Commission and some of their ideas, not being too dismissive of their thoughts.

The FA Commission's ideas with regards to the extra league is nonsensical, however, highlighted in their plans is the notion that their development of coaches should be paramount. Whilst this commission is completely scared of the Premier League, it can hold some weight, with the main emphasis being the national team.

England's future is dependent on lots of aspects coming together. The Premier League needs to understand the needs of the players plus a requirement to buy into the Club England theory as well.

Why was the Premier League season finishing a week following the Football League season, when they have less games to play? The argument is obviously the Champions League, but the FA need to get rid of the FA Cup replays if they wish to schedule the matches properly, whereupon it's expected the players will be much fresher for international matches.

England need to look at who the next manager will be, who the next players will be and be one step ahead of the game, so to speak.

Do England have the new manager already in ranks in Gary Neville? Or will they turn to Gareth Southgate, current boss of the Under 21's?

The new players which have been already mentioned are below the age of 23 (apart from Walcott), these players, barring injury, are likely to be around for a good while yet and maybe England players will be greeted off the plane like heroes. We can but dream!