Hodgson: I took Palace job to repair my reputation
Roy Hodgson said last night he is looking forward to repairing his battered reputation in his new role as Crystal Palace manager after a four-year spell as England coach ended in humiliation.
The 70-year-old became the oldest ever Premier League managerial appointment by signing a two-year contract with Palace, who sacked Frank de Boer on Monday only 77 days into his reign.
Palace lost their opening four league matches under the Dutchman but Hodgson, who left the England post after the dismal defeat
by Iceland in the European Championships in 2016, is confident he can banish those bad memories and get the south London club back on track.
“I didn’t want to end it [my career] on a bad result but I think the 56 games and the seven defeats is not so bad,” said Hodgson.
“I think we changed the team around and the young, exciting team you see today is the team I was putting together.
“We lost a knockout game and I was very sad about that. I can’t put that right but I’m very pleased to be back at the highest level with a good football club. I don’t honestly believe that there is necessarily a lot that needs to be done.”
Palace represent Hodgson’s fifth Premier League appointment of his managerial career, after Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion.
He will make his bow as Palace manager in Saturday’s league clash with Southampton at Selhurst Park.
Ray Lewington, the former Palace caretaker manager and England assistant coach, will again link up with Hodgson.