Hodgson named England's top boss

Fulham FC's Roy Hodgson has been named as manager of the year by his English peers after guiding the west London club to the UEFA Europa League final.

Fulham coach since December 2007, the 62-year-old received the League Managers Association (LMA) award on Monday night. He will lead his side into their first major European final on Wednesday as the Cottagers meet Club Atlético de Madrid at the Hamburg Arena.

LMA chairman and former Leeds United AFC manager Howard Wilkinson said: "Since joining Fulham, Roy has transformed the club's fortunes. He initially saved them from the brink of relegation then took them to their highest ever league position last season. This year he has capitalised on that platform, achieving remarkable success in this season's Europa League."

The club's chairman Mohamed Al Fayed added: "I am delighted that Roy should win this award – he's not just a great football manager, he is a splendid human being. It is a pleasure to work with him and we have a great relationship. This award shows that occasionally football makes the right decision, and Roy is it. Now all he has to do is win the Europa League competition, and I will pay the excess baggage for him to bring the trophy back."