ROY HODGSON reckons Sir Alex Ferguson would call him a “fool” for making his football comeback aged 75.
The veteran manager decided to come out of retirement to replace Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace.
PARoy Hodgson is delighted to be back at Crystal Palace again[/caption]
He joked Sir Alex Ferguson would have some strong opinions on his decisionNews Group Newspapers Ltd
His Selhurst Park return comes ten months after he retired following a short stint at Watford, failing to keep the Hornets in the Premier League.
But the Eagles turned to Hodgson with the same task of avoiding relegation as one of nine clubs at risk of the drop this season.
Ahead of his first match in charge – at home to fellow strugglers Leicester tomorrow – the Premier League’s oldest manager was asked if any of his old rival bosses had been in touch regarding his appointment.
Hodgson said: “I would think if Alex was to text me he would be saying, ‘What are you doing, you fool?’”
Hodgson turns 76 in August and was already the oldest man to take charge of a Premier League team after his time at Watford.
He will stretch further clear of Sir Bobby Robson in second when the Foxes turn up in South London.
Ferguson, meanwhile, called time on management in 2013 at the tender age of 71 after 26 years at Manchester United.
Hodgson added: “I’ve had lots of nice messages. I’m fortunate as well that I get messages from abroad, so that’s always a nice thing. But this is that nice period.
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“Training has been very enjoyable. I have really enjoyed being with the players out there. It has been a pleasant time.
“It has not been enormously stressful because we haven’t lost a game yet.
“But the stress, I’m afraid, starts on Saturday. The next time you see me here you might see someone a lot less relaxed than I seem to be at this moment in time. Experience, or no experience.”
Hodgson progressed through the academy at Palace between 1963 and 1965 but was unable to break into the first team.
His career came full circle in 2017, though, when after leaving his gig as England chief, he took charge of his beloved boyhood club for four years.
The four months at Vicarage Road appeared to be his final job in the game.
But he answered the SOS call from chairman Steve Parish for his 22nd permanent managerial appointment.