The FA last night announced 64-year-old Hodgson was the only person it has approached about succeeding Fabio Capello, who resigned earlier this year after Chelsea defender John Terry was stripped of the England captaincy.
Hodgson will hold discussions with a four-man panel after the FA identified him as their preferred candidate ahead of Tottenham gaffer Harry Redknapp.
It is still possible Hodgson will turn the job down, although that appears unlikely as, in an extensive interview earlier this year, the Londoner said the job would be “a tremendous honour”.
Almost everyone in football, fans, administrators and players alike, expected the successful and likeable Redknapp would be top of the FA’s list.
Redknapp wished Hodgson well ahead of his meeting.
“No problem,” Redknapp said to BBC Sport. “I wish him [Hodgson] all the best. He’s a great guy. I’ve got a great job here [at Spurs]. I don’t hold grudges.”
Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 65-year-old added: “I like Roy, he’s a top man. There are some fantastic players in this country and I’m looking forward to watching the European Championship in the summer. Life is good, I’m a very lucky man.”
West Brom have approved of Hodgson’s meeting.
“Roy is a proud Englishman and we can understand why he wants to speak to the FA about this highly-prestigious managerial position,” West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace said.
“However, we have emphasised to Roy how much we would like him to remain as our head coach and continue his major contribution to our project at the Hawthorns as we look to establish ourselves as a Barclays Premier League club.”
