England manager Roy Hodgson has called on supporters to be realistic in their ambitions of the Three Lions' campaign at this summer's European Championships.

The 64-year-old was officially appointed by the Football Association on a four-year deal yesterday.

While the former Liverpool boss is under no illusions that the Euros will be easy, Hodgson believes that his national team should at least reach the quarter-finals in Poland and Ukraine.

"The European Championships are tough, with 16 teams who are among the best in the world, not only Europe, and our group is one of the hardest," said Hodgson. "But I'd be bitterly disappointed if we didn't get out the group.

"One is tempted to say, because it's England, that success is only reaching the latter stages, or even the only success is winning.

"But I'd like people to cut us a bit of slack because the resignation of Fabio Capello has made the situation somewhat different."

Hodgson will finish the season with West Bromwich Albion before embarking on his new international career.