LONDON, Sept 8 — As he prepares for his first Euro 2016 qualifying test against Switzerland toda, England, England manager Roy Hodgson insisted he has no interest in winning personal popularity contests, ESPNFC.com reports.

“I’ve never sought popularity,” Hodgson told reporters. “Popularity doesn’t really mean much to me. I have never been interested with being popular with players. I want to be respected by them with the job I can do as a professional. That’s all that bothers me.

Hodgson has come under increasing pressure in the English media following a poor World Cup in Brazil this summer and a less than stellar display against Norway in a friendly international at Wembley last Wednesday.

“There may have been a slight swing in popularity after the World Cup, I’d have been surprised had there not been. I will have to live with external ideas and thoughts and accept them. The real support and popularity is with the group of players I work with.

“Am I seeing the nasty side of the job? No. There is no nasty side. I love this job. It’s a magnificent job. It’s the pinnacle of any coaching career. To have the chance to coach your country.”

Hodgson hopes a positive result in Switzerland will change the mood around the England squad and he is trying to paint an upbeat picture despite the absence of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge due to injury.

“I want the result, but we have to lift our heads a little bit,” he added. “We’ve got reasons to be cheerful. If you are able to put behind you that fact that the World Cup was a major disappointment.”