Roy Hodgson quits as England manager
Within minutes of England’s 2-1 defeat against Iceland, Hodgson read out a prepared statement confirming he was standing down and taking coaches Gary Neville and Ray Lewington with him.
Hodgson, who won 33 of his 56 games in charge, said: “I’m extremely disappointed of course about tonight’s result and ultimately our exit from the competition. We haven’t progressed as far as I thought we were capable of, and that’s obviously not acceptable.
“I’m actually proud of the work my coaching staff and I have achieved over our time at the helm of England. The transition from the squad whose average age was 30 to now being the youngest in the tournament is both remarkable and exciting for the future of English football.
“I would have loved to stay on for another two years. However, I am pragmatic and I know we are in the results business. My contract was always up after the Euros, so now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of this young, hungry and extremely talented group of players.
“Ray and Gary arrived with me as part of my coaching team and will leave with me. I’d like to thank them for their dedicated support and for the major part they’ve played in our team preparation.”
Despite their embarrassing loss, Hodgson chose to praise his players, saying: “They have been fantastic and have done everything that has been asked of them. When I arrived I was told players didn’t turn up to play for their country or that they pulled out at the last minute. I have not seen any of that.
“These players love to play for their country and their commitment has been unquestioned. I’d like to thank all the support staff, players, the FA and of course the fans. It’s been a fantastic journey, these four years, and it’s one I’ll look back on and remember with pride.
“Finally I’d like to thank the media for the support you’ve given me over the four years. I’m sorry it’s had to end this way with another exit from the tournament. These things happen.
“All I can do is wish everybody all the very best and hope that you will still be able to see an England team in a final of a major tournament fairly soon.”
An FA statement read: “Like the nation, we are disappointed to lose this evening and that our run in Euro 2016 has come to a premature end. We back Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down as England manager and will discuss next steps imminently.”
England goalkeeper Joe Hart, who was at fault for Iceland’s winner, apologised for his mistake while admitting the squad deserve all the criticism that comes their way.
“I apologise to the fans, that’s a shot I should save and it’s my fault we are out,” he said.
“As a group it is down to us. All the plans are put in place, we knew everything about Iceland but ultimately we didn’t perform. Personally I didn’t perform. It’s not a question of not wanting it, there’s nothing we want more. They are just words, though. We were in a good place but we haven’t done it.
“We will get a lot of flak and we deserve it. We will learn from this and try and bring English football back to where it belongs.”
‘The next manager has a tough job on his hands. We worked hard but with no success. That is how this team will be remembered. We have won and lost as a team. It’s difficult when you lose a manager, especially in these circumstances. Its not the way any of us wanted him to go. He thanked us for the time and the application. Roy is quite a genuine guy.
