Hodgson resigns as England lose to Iceland

England manager Roy Hodgson has resigned from his position at the national team after England lost 2-1 to Iceland in last night’s last 16 Euro 2016 tie, sending the Three Lions home.

The 68 year old, who replaced Fabio Capello four years ago, led his side to France with a 100% record in the qualifiers, but has won just three out of eleven games in major tournament finals.

The announcement was made shortly after England lost to Iceland – the lowest ranked side in the competition – and he said; “I’m sorry it will have to end this way but these things happen.”

“Now is the time for someone else to oversee the progress of a hungry and extremely talented group of players.

“They have done fantastically and done everything asked of them. I hope you will still be able to see an England team in a final of a major tournament soon.”

Hodgson, who had a win percentage of 58.9%, was out of contract in the summer, and a new deal seemed unlikely regardless of where England finished in France.

In a statement issued following Hodgson’s resignation, the FA said: “Like the nation, we are disappointed to lose this evening and that our run in Euro 2016 has come to a premature end.

“We had high hopes of progressing through to the latter stages of the competition and accept that we have not met our own expectations or those of the country.

“We back Roy Hodgson’s decision to step down as England manager and will discuss next steps imminently.”

 

Despite a 100% record in the qualifiers, the Three Lions won just once from their three group games; drawing 1-1 with Russia, before a late winner in a 2-1 win over Wales and a goalless draw against Slovakia, ending the group in 2nd, behind Wales.

And despite finishing in the ‘tougher’ half of the draw, a late Iceland winner against Austria set up a knockout tie against the lowest ranked side, rather than Portugal.

Despite that, the England manager faced criticism after he made six changed for the goalless draw against Slovakia, when his side could have finished top with a win.

Under Hodgson, England reached the quarter-finals of their last European Championship, losing to Italy on penalties, before a dismal performance at the World Cup in Brazil, where England failed to get out of the group stages without a single win.

Speaking to reporters following Monday’s defeat, Hodgson confirmed that assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville would also leave their posts

Fabio Capello is still England’s most successful manager with a win percentage of 66.7%, with World Cup winner Sir Alf Ramsey behind on 61.1%.

But Glenn Hoddle, Ron Greenwood and Sven-Goran Eriksson all have better records than the former Liverpool and West Brom manager for England.

 

In terms of Hodgson’s successor, England Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate has been tipped as the favourite, with the former Middlesbrough boss having worked under the FA for some time now.

Also linked are Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew and England coach Gary Neville, but despite involvement with the senior side, the latter struggled during his tenure at Valencia.

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, new Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers and Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger have all been linked with the vacant role.

 

When choosing Capello’s successor, the FA were looking for a manager with experience. At the time, Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp was the favourite to replace the Italian, given his success at Spurs and previous clubs.

But Hodgson, who at the time was employed at West Brom, was given the task. A manager with both domestic and international experience, he led Halmstads to two league titles in Sweden, before a brief stint at Bristol City and a return to Sweden, where he won five successive titles with Malmo.

Hodgson took over as manager of Switzerland, leading them to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup finals and Euro 96.

Back at club level, Hodgson took charge at Inter Milan and Blackburn Rovers, before international jobs with the United Arab Emirates and Finland.

In 2007, Hodgson took charge of Fulham, and led them to a seventh placed finish in the Premier League – their highest ever finish. He also led the London club to the Europa League final, losing to Atletico Madrid.

From there, he moved to Liverpool in 2010, but managed to complete just seven months if his three year contract. He took over at West Brom shortly after, guiding the Baggies clear of relegation, before speaking to the FA about the vacant England manager’s role.

At england, Hodgson has always been under scrutiny. That said, in qualifying for major tournaments and introducing young, talented players to the senior set up, he has been successful. His downfall, however, has been the success, or lack of, at the finals, and the blend of players between experienced and youth simply hasn’t worked for him.