The Football Association have confirmed Roy Hodgson as the new England manager.The 64-year-old has signed a four-year deal, taking him to the end of Euro 2016.

Hodgson will remain in charge of West Brom for the final two games of the Premier League season, although he will be released for England duties as required.

West Brom are now stepping up their search to find a new manager after Hodgson opted to end his 15-month spell in charge.

Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace said: “Roy’s appointment as England manager is obviously disappointing news for the club as we would have liked him to sign a new contract, which was in the process of negotiation, and remain as our head coach.

“But we understand Roy’s desire to take the England job and he will leave us after the Arsenal game on May 13 with our best wishes.

“Of course, with Euro 2012 around the corner, we appreciate that some of Roy’s focus over the next 12 days will be on England matters.

“But we are delighted he will be seeing the season out with us.

“With the help of the coaching staff, he will prepare the team in his usual, meticulous manner as we finish what has already been a successful season.”

Peace added: “The board will now concentrate on the important task of appointing a new head coach to continue our project as we prepare for a third successive season in the Barclays Premier League.

“We did not want Roy to leave and he will be a tough act to follow.

“But I want to reassure our supporters that we will do everything possible to identify and appoint the right head coach for this football club.

“I would also like to thank the FA Chairman, David Bernstein, for the sensitive and professional manner in which he has liaised with me in bringing about Roy’s appointment.

“Everyone here would like to wish Roy, The FA and England all the best for Euro 2012 and beyond.”

Roy Hodgson Factfile:

1947: Born on August 9 in Croydon.

1965-75: Player with Crystal Palace, Gravesend and Northfleet, Maidstone and South African side Berea Park.

1976: Starts managerial career with Halmstad in Sweden, winning two championships.

1980: Joins Bristol City as assistant manager.

1982: Appointed manager at Ashton Gate but dismissed within four months after poor run of results when club is taken over by new owners. Returns to Sweden, where he manages Orebro and then Malmo, who won five consecutive championships and two Swedish Cups under him.

1990: Leaves Sweden for Switzerland, taking over at Neuchatel Xamax.

1992: Becomes manager of Switzerland, whom he takes to the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States. Also in charge when they qualified for Euro 96.

1995: Appointed manager of Inter Milan.

1997: Agrees to become Blackburn manager in the summer. While still at Inter, his side lose to German club Schalke in the UEFA Cup final on penalties.

1998: May: Takes Blackburn into European competition for the first time since 1995 but Rovers win only two of their final 11 Premier League matches to fail in chase for title.

November: Sacked by Blackburn with the club bottom of the Premier League, having taken just nine points from 14 games.

1999: Shortlisted for Austria job. Returns to Inter on April 27 as technical director until the end of the season.

Joins Swiss side Grasshopper.

2000: Appointed coach of Danish side FC Copenhagen. Linked with England job after resignation of Kevin Keegan.

2001: May – Takes Copenhagen to the Superliga title.

August: Takes over as coach of Serie A club Udinese.

December 10 – Udinese and Hodgson part company.

2002: April – Appointed manager of the United Arab Emirates.

2004: January – Sacked after leading side to fifth place at the Gulf Cup.

May – Joins Norwegian side Viking FK.

2005: August – Agrees to take over as boss of Finland national team.

2007: November 30 – Quits after failing to secure qualification for Euro 2008.

December 30 – Appointed Fulham manager.

2008: Fulham win four of their last five Premier League games of the season to stave off relegation.

2009: Guides the Cottagers to their highest ever top-flight finish, seventh, and ensures Europa League qualification.

2010: March 18 – Oversees a stunning second-leg comeback against Juventus in the Europa League quarter-final as a 4-1 win takes Fulham into the quarter-finals 5-4 on aggregate.

May 12 – Hodgson’s side go down 2-1 to Atletico Madrid in extra-time in the Europa League final in Hamburg.

July 1 – Announced as new manager of Liverpool on a three-year contract.

September 23 – Dumped out of the League Cup on penalties at Anfield by League Two side Northampton.

October 3 – Poor form continues with a 2-1 defeat to newly-promoted Blackpool – again at Anfield.

October 15 – US company New England Sports Ventures, owner of the Boston Red Sox, complete their takeover of Liverpool.

December 29 – Criticises Reds fans after another home defeat – this time 1-0 to Wolves.

2011: January 8 – Liverpool announce Hodgson has left the club.

February 11 – Takes over as West Brom coach after the Baggies part company with Roberto Di Matteo.

May – Takes West Brom to 11th in the table after a strong end-of-season run.

April 22 – Leads his side to a 1-0 win over Liverpool on his first return to Anfield.

April 29 – West Brom grant the Football Association permission to speak to Hodgson about the vacant manager’s position.

May 1 – The FA confirm Hodgson as the new England manager on a four-year contract.

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