Roy Hodgson resigns as England manager
Roy Hodgson has resigned as England Manager after a 2-1 defeat to Iceland at Euro 2016.
England were embarrassingly knocked out of the tournament after losing 2-1 to Iceland at the Allianz Riviera in Nice.
The 68-year-old had been in charge for four years after replacing Italian Fabio Capello but has won just three of 11 games in major tournament finals.
Iceland – with a population of just 330,000 – were among the lowest-ranked teams in France at 34 in the world.
The 68-year-old had been in charge for four years after replacing Italian Fabio Capello. He paid tribute to Neville and Lewington, as well as the support staff, players, the FA and the fans.
The 68-year-old, who took England to the quarterfinals of Euro 2012 and was eliminated at the group stage of the 2014 World Cup, confirmed his assistants Ray Lewington and Gary Neville would also leave.
“I’m extremely disappointed, of course, about tonight’s result and ultimately our exit from the competition,” Hodgson said.
“We haven’t progressed as far as I thought we were capable of, and that’s obviously not acceptable. I am actually proud of the work that my coaching staff and I have achieved in our time at the helm with England.
“The transition from a squad whose average 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 know that 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 talented group of players.
“They’ve been fantastic and done everything asked of them. When I arrived I was told that players didn’t turn up to play for their country or would pull out at the last minute. But I have not seen any of that. Their commitment has been unquestionable.”
He added: “It’s been a fantastic journey these four years and it’s one I’ll look back on with pride.
“I would like to thank the media for the support that you’ve given me. I’m sorry it’s had to end this way with another exit from a tournament but 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 very soon. We’ve been unable to deliver.”
England finished second in Group B at Euro 2016 following a 1-1 draw with Russia, a 2-1 win against Wales and a goalless draw with Slovakia.
The search will now begin for a successor with Gareth Southgate, Alan Pardew, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and Gary Neville some of the names mentioned as early contenders.
England’s qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup begins on Sept. 4 away to Slovakia, and the FA will hope to have a new permanent manager in place by then.
England finished second in Group B at Euro 2016 following a 1-1 draw with Russia, a 2-1 win against Wales and a goalless draw with Slovakia.
The search will now begin for a successor with Gareth Southgate, Alan Pardew, Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe and Gary Neville some of the names mentioned as early contenders.
England’s qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup begins on Sept. 4 away to Slovakia, and the FA will hope to have a new permanent manager in place by then.
In a statement, the FA said it accepted Hodgson’s resignation.
“Like the nation, we are disappointed to lose this evening and that our run in Euro 2016 has come to a premature end,” the statement said. “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. For now, we congratulate Iceland for reaching the quarter final and wish them well against France at the weekend.
“Finally, our sincere thanks go to the travelling fans for their incredible support tonight and to everyone back home for getting behind the team.”
