Bramwell Speaks Out ONE of the four 'noble truths' of Buddhism is that the cause of suffering is desire.

And though Glenn Hoddle's pathetic preachings have failed to convert me, as an England follower I openly accept the inevitable suffering that would result from my desire to see Roy Hodgson as his successor.

For, despite all his faults, the former Ewood boss is the ideal replacement.

Ignore the Eileenesque fact that the name Hodgson is derived from Son of Hod.

Also disregard Hodgson's previous credentials as an illiterate 13th century beggar with low self-esteem.

While the stark lack of alternatives weighs heavily in his favour, remember that only a few months ago Hodgson was being touted as the natural successor to Hoddle by almost every pundit in the land.

He was a widely respected coach (unlike Hoddle), articulate (unlike Hoddle), dignified (unlike Hoddle) and a media relations dream (unlike Hoddle).

During the first few months of this season, however, those same qualities were suddenly open to question.

And, like Hoddle, he remains single-minded to the point of arrogance and awkwardly distanced from the rank and file.

Those deficiencies, though, would not necessarily affect his performance at a national level as it did at Blackburn Rovers. Strangely enough, during Hodgson's final days at Ewood, one of his fiercest critics, Tim Sherwood, was equally as keen to privately stress Hodgson's suitability for international management.

The tedium of trivial day-to-day management issues would be swapped for FIFA symposia.

He would be able to view his players from a comfortable distance and not answer constant and tiresome queries about calf strains.

His undoubted coaching skills would be better suited in the sophisticated cat and mouse of the global game rather than the wham bam of the Premiership.

And, while not popular with many journalists, Hodgson would be unlikely to be forced down the suicidal avenues familiar to Hoddle.

He is also man enough to disregard the shambolic influence of the FA and treat the likes of David Davies with the massive contempt deserved.

Before any new appointment, though, it is important that the FA make it clear that Hoddle was not sacked because of his religious beliefs.

A huge proportion of the world's population believe in karma - that actions in a previous life control your destiny in this existence.

Hoddle's own disadvantage is that he does not possess enough natural intelligence with which to express these beliefs.

He was only half right when he said he had a half-decent brain in The Times.

And his ultimately fatal failure was the inability to isolate his private thoughts from his public and professional duties.

It will now be interesting just how much regard he has for the disabled and handicapped when Hoddle decides what to do with the £500,000 FA pay-off he has earned from his remarks.

A hefty charitable donation should guarantee a smoother passage in his next life.

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