England? Yes, quite satisfied, thank you

Hodgson’s pride in his Three Lions record

All games Tournament games

ROY HODGSON kicked off his Crystal Palace reign yesterday by claiming he was “quite satisfied” with his time in charge of England because they won a lot of qualifiers.

The new Eagles boss oversaw the Three Lions knocked out after only two games at the 2014 World Cup and then humiliated by Iceland (left) at Euro 2016.

The day after the defeat in Nice, Hodgson reluctantly appeared at a press conference and said: “I don’t really know what I’m doing here.”

The 70-year-old, born in Croydon, has now been given the chance to salvage his reputation after the sacking of Frank de Boer – and keep Palace in the Premier League.

Hodgson said: “It’s not for me to say whether I or other managers have a point to prove. I’m not a great believer in points to prove.

“The fact is all jobs end in a way you don’t want them to end. Tournament football is tournament football and unfortunately you lose a game in tournament football and it is going to be a bad end because you are out of the tournament.

“But in general terms, I thought the four years... I’m quite satisfied with the work we did – 56 games and eight defeats and a lot of very good results and performances during qualifying matches.

“But that’s a chapter in my book which has been closed and has no effect whatsoever on the work I have ahead of me.”

Hodgson (holding a Palace shirt, below) kept Fulham in the top flight after taking the reins in December 2007 – and led them to the 2010 Europa League Final.

Palace have opened their league campaign with four defeats in four games and no goals. Hodgson took an Eagles training session for the first time yesterday, with his first challenge Saturday’s visit of Southampton.

“The start’s been a poor one – we can’t deny that,” he told TALKSPORT. “But there are 34 more games to play. I am certain we will pull away.”