Multi-lingual, a good listener and a surprise choice for arguably the biggest job in British sport - manager of the England football team.
Hodgson has coached football teams in eight different countries during a career which has lasted 36 years. He is said to have revolutionised the techniques of some players - he took Switzerland to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup. He's much better known in Italy than the UK after his time at Internationale Milan.
At Fulham he was regarded as an eccentric but clever choice as they avoided relegation before reaching the 2010 Europa League Final.
Hodgson is not into mind games and isn't known for saying things for impact - like some other Premier League managers. Some say he is bereft of ego and a gentleman, others that he can be as passionate and defensive as the rest. He has a rigorous approach to preparation - players at Liverpool complained about the complexity of his training schedules.
A great lover of literature he is said to have read the works of nearly every Nobel prize winner - not intimidated by taking on the works of foreign authors.
Gerry Northam profiles the man friends say has a complex character - on the one hand obsessed with football, on the other never happier than when away from the beautiful game.
Producer: Samantha Fenwick.