Senior England players lost faith in Roy Hodgson - Sky sources

Senior England players doubted Roy Hodgson's ability to lead the team to the latter stages of Euro 2016 prior to Monday night's defeat to Iceland, according to Sky sources.

Instead, they lost faith in his decision-making as the tournament progressed.

Sky Sports News HQ understands senior members of the squad were concerned Hodgson's tactics would not get the best out of the team, while others questioned the selection of players suffering a lack of confidence or form.

 SSNHQ has been told that senior England players:

• Were surprised by the use of a 4-3-3 formation, which had barely been implemented in any of England's friendly matches in 2016.
• Questioned the selection of Raheem Sterling for the Iceland game, after he showed signs of lacking confidence throughout the tournament.
• Felt momentum had been lost by making six changes for the Slovakia game, which they drew 0-0.
• Wondered why Adam Lallana did not start against Iceland after his impressive performances during the group stages.
• Debated among themselves the merits of playing Wayne Rooney in midfield, for the first time in his England career.
• Were left frustrated that Marcus Rashford was left to warm up for approximately 10 minutes before he was sent on for the final four minutes of the Iceland game with England in desperate need of a goal.
• Felt Hodgson's pre-prepared statement at the post-Iceland press conference was an indication he may have doubted the team's chances before the game. 

England were beaten 2-1 by Iceland in one of the biggest shocks in European Championship history, eliminating them from the competition at round of 16 stage.

The defeat prompted Hodgson to immediately offer his resignation to FA chief executive Martin Glenn, who accepted without hesitation.

Hodgson was out of contract at the end of the tournament and though he informed Glenn of his decision to walk away from the team, SSNHQ has been told even had he not done so, the Football Association would not have offered him a new contract.

However, while Hodgson shook hands with every England player in the dressing room after the Iceland game when informing them of his decision to walk away, sources close to the squad have confirmed the discord among the players was apparent well before Monday night's game.

Hodgson's decision to utilise a 4-3-3 formation left some players surprised, particularly after he had barely used the system in any of England's warm-up games prior to the tournament.

While England started their match against Turkey in a 4-3-3, they played with a 4-4-2 formation in the following pre-tournament friendlies against Australia and Portugal. Using a system that needed wingers also surprised members of the squad after Andros Townsend and Theo Walcott were both omitted from the final 23-man squad.

Sterling's inclusion was also heavily scrutinised by some players. Although popular with his peers, Sterling's confidence was thought to be low after a below-par performance against Russia, and seemed to take a further dip after his early miss against Wales, when his shot went over the bar from close range - the best chance of the opening 20 minutes in that game.

Sources have said a number of England players were surprised Sterling was included in the starting line-up against Iceland having been taken out for the Slovakia match. Many felt Lallana - who was considered to be one of England's best performing players - should have started, yet remained on the bench in the shock defeat.

SSNHQ was told a number of players felt momentum had been lost by Hodgson's decision to make six changes to the line-up for England's final group match with Slovakia. Senior members of the team are known to have understood the need to make slight adjustments to the side, yet felt Hodgson went too far by making as many changes as he did. England went on to draw the game 0-0 and only qualified from Group B in second place.

Rooney's midfield role was debated at length, in private, by his team-mates. While it is understood all were impressed with how the England captain adapted to the midfield role Hodgson deployed him in, some questioned the wisdom of playing him there in the first place - arguing that Rooney, England's all-time leading goalscorer, remained the best No 9 in the squad.

In addition to that, a number of Rooney's team-mates felt if he was not going to be used as a striker, he should have at least been played as a No 10, enabling him to contribute either by scoring England's goals or creating them.

The use of Rashford - or lack of - was also discussed by players, who saw the Manchester United striker sent to warm-up for almost 10 minutes, yet only introduced to the game as England's final substitution, in the 86th minute of the game.

There was positive reaction to how Hodgson and his coaching staff approached the Iceland game. At half-time, the England manager reminded his players to have patience, and to remember France were behind at half-time against Ireland and ultimately prospered. However, the same players doubted his tactical acumen to turn the situation around.

Meanwhile, senior Football Association officials were left disappointed that Hodgson opted not to field questions from members of the media at his post-match press conference on Monday evening.

It was expected that despite having resigned effective immediately, Hodgson would carry out all of his normal media obligations, but he instead opted to read from a pre-prepared statement, not fielding questions from members of the assembled media about the game. Hodgson also did not conduct any interviews with the tournament's rights holders, which could lead to a fine from UEFA.

Hodgson was then invited by the FA to speak at a press conference on Tuesday in Chantilly, either before, or alongside, chief executive officer Martin Glenn. Hodgson initially declined the opportunity to face questions on this second occasion, before changing his mind.