I've been in this game for 32 years, so Fulham will be safe in my hands

• More Fulham news

That it is even a question at all has much to do with his previous stint in the Premier League with Blackburn. In addition, such questions persist despite Hodgson now being the league's most experienced manager in terms of coaching overseas.

Achievements such as five consecutive titles and two cups with Swedish side Malmo, taking Switzerland to the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96, or leading Inter Milan to the final of the UEFA Cup have been tempered in the English football supporters' eyes by his failings at Ewood Park. Fired in November 1998 with Blackburn rock bottom after having led them to the UEFA Cup the previous season, Hodgson clearly feels his record across the years more than makes up for that blot on his c.v.

"Why should I need to prove myself more here in England than if I had taken a job in Germany, Russia or Greece?' questioned the muchtravelled manager.

"I'm entitled to be confident, even though the 10 titles I received in Sweden are reduced to four in some newspapers. I sometimes wonder what happens to them.

"I'm fully prepared for the challenge. It must be 10 years since I have worked in the Premier League, but I have not exactly been working at a low level or working in jobs that have not had pressure or scrutiny. There are not many with 32 years' coaching experience. You can count them on one hand.

"I'm in the same position as many foreign coaches who come to this country. It's a job to do now which is the equivalent of any in the Italian league or German league. I feel after a couple of years in international management that I'm ready to take the challenge on again.

"I would not have taken on the job if I didn't think I had the confidence and ability to do it. Of course, like everyone else at Fulham I view with horror a scenario in which we don't succeed and stay in the Premier League, but I've no reason to fear that. I'm entitled to be confident."

Many would question whether Fulham presented Hodgson with the best environment to demonstrate he can emulate the kind of success he achieved on the Continent.

But, despite Fulham's precarious position and the very real possibility of playing Championship football next season, Hodgson has no doubt he made the right choice in snubbing the relative comfort of a job as Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti's assistant for the hot seat at Craven Cottage.

"I neither seek anonymity nor fame,' said Hodgson, explaining his decision to thrust himself back into the limelight.

"Sometimes anonymity is quite a nice thing. I'm pretty sure Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger would have quite enjoyed the relative anonymity that I have had in Finland for the last two years. I'm sure they would have envied it.

"But of course I would like to have success here. I think at Blackburn I was very successful in the first year but unfortunately that success was wiped out by a bad first half of the second season."

Hodgson added: "I enjoy the job. My love is being with the players on a daily basis.

"When I first heard Fulham were interested I was pleased and happy to go along to meet them. When a second meeting was arranged I did not have a lot of time to think at all. The meeting finished and the chairman (Mohamed Al Fayed) came in and offered the job, so I accepted and I suppose I would have to say I did not give it too much thought.

"But it doesn't get any bigger than the Premier League, so I am very happy to come back to try it again.

"If the lack of anonymity goes with it and if a bit more pressure goes with it, or a bit more stress, I will just have to accept it and hope that the grey hairs don't come too fast."

A New Year's Day debut at home to neighbours Chelsea after one halfhour training session and a 15-minute talk with his players is enough to have Hodgson reaching for the Grecian 2000 already.

And the 60-year-old coach is hopeful of an understanding reaction from the Fulham faithful should all not go according to plan in today's lunchtime kick-off — and his plans have not been helped by defender Aaron Hughes being ruled out by a calf injury.

"I am sure people understand that situation," said Hodgson. "They know that my ability to stamp my authority and my mark on this game is obviously extremely limited."

Hodgson, however, will have to get up to speed fast with little more than four months remaining to engineer Fulham's survival.

If not, expect memories of his last stab at the Premier League to come flooding back to a demanding fan base and even more demanding chairman.