‘Fragile’ Hodgson: ‘I don’t know what I’m doing here’

Rob Conlon
Roy Hodgson: Manager unhappy to explain defeat

Roy Hodgson: Manager unhappy to explain defeat

Roy Hodgson’s final press conference following England’s elimination from Euro 2016 descended into farce with the former boss in no mood to answer questions on the team’s defeat to Iceland.

Following England’s 2-1 loss to Iceland in the last-16 tie of the European Champions, Hodgson immediately announced his resignation as manager of the national side, but refused to answer and questions from the press.

On Tuesday the 68-year-old did attend a press conference, but made no secret he was unhappy to be there.

“I don’t really know what I’m doing here, I’m no longer the England manager but I was told to come. I suppose someone has to come and take the slings and arrows … my emotions are the obvious ones. I’m very disappointed, I didn’t see the result coming,” he said.

“If you don’t turn up and play the football that you know you’re capable of, an opponent like Iceland can beat you. I’m still recovering from that, it wasn’t a good night and I’m very fragile.

“We believed that we could get to the quarter-final and get beyond that.”

Alongside Hodgson, FA CEO Martin Glenn was also in attendance, and outlined the search for a new manager, although not without making a faux pas of his own – twice admitting he is not a “football expert”.

“The process for finding a new manager is underway. Dan Ashworth, myself and David Gill will be the triumvirate that looks after it. It’s really important that we get it right,” he said.

“Taking it forward with a view to the World Cup in Russia. We’re going to be canvassing opinion to get a lot of wisdom.

“We don’t need to throw the baby out with the bathwater but we’re not denying that when we get to the business end of a tournament England seem brittle.

“In terms of the FA’s commitment, we’ll get a new management team and in the future at every tournament, every game, every half we will punch our weight.”

Glenn also refused to rule out appoint a foreign manager, adding: “I’m not here to talk about names – I’ve been consistent, we’re looking for the best person not necessarily the best Englishman.”