Former England assistant coach Franco Baldini feels that new England boss Roy Hodgson has a difficult job on his hands.
Hodgson was appointed as Fabio Capello's successor on Tuesday on a four-year contract.
Baldini was a prominent part of Capello's staff during the Italian's tenure and believes Hodgson must have impressed the Football Association to be given the job.
"I wasn't surprised about the choice, especially after the World Cup when the FA said the next one was going to an English manager because at the end of the day there were not many other choices," Baldini said.
"I know that the FA has been thinking about the new manager for a long time after Fabio left. I think that at the end they went for Hodgson for a strong reason."
Hodgson will complete the current Premier League season as West Brom manager before leading England into the European Championships and Baldini believes it will be hard for the incoming manager.
He said: "It is going to be tough, as is his job. A writer wrote a very good book that to be the England manger is the toughest job in the world.
"I'm still thinking the England team is a very good one and could still be competitive.
"The difference could be made with how tired the players are at the end of the season because the English season is the toughest one.
"It depends how Hodgson will be able to let them recover and give them the possibility to be fit enough to compete."
Despite his ties to England and his native Italy, Baldini believes current champions Spain are the best side going into this summer's competition.
"My favourite team is still Spain because I like the way that they play and the players they have got. If I'm forced to back one team it would be Spain," he added.
