Hodgson tips Carragher for the dugout

England manager Roy Hodgson has backed retiring Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher to become one of the country’s top coaches.

Carragher, 35, announced this week that the 2012/13 campaign would be his last as a professional.

He has made 723 appearances for Liverpool, second only to Ian Callaghan on the club’s all-time list.

Having managed the centre-back during his short time at Anfield, Hodgson is confident Carragher will succeed in coaching.

“After retirement I’m sure he will march quickly up the coaching ladder and become one of the country’s top young coaches,” he told reporters.

“Having worked with Jamie Carragher it was always evident that he was a model professional who gave everything he had for club and country.

“He has had a fantastic career and will always be looked on very fondly by everyone associated with Liverpool Football Club.

“It was good to see him back in the team recently, I hope that between now and the end of the season he is able to add to his great total of appearances for the club.”

Former Liverpool team-mate Michael Owen agrees with the England manager and believes Carragher will make an easy transition into an off-the-field role.

“I’m sure he’s capable,” Owen told the BBC.

“He knows everyone in every single league, he’s certainly got the credentials. It’s whether he wants to do it and I’d hazard a guess that he would.”