Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson is the current manager of Crystal Palace, having been appointed in September 2017. Prior to this Roy was England Manager from May 2012 until July 2016. His appointment followed a successful spell managing West Bromwich Albion in the Barclays Premier League. Hodgson is a vastly experienced manager whose career spans no fewer than twenty managerial appointments across eight countries. The multi-lingual Londoner has earned an international reputation as a coach. Switzerland had failed to qualify for a major tournament since the 1960s when Hodgson led them to both the 1994 World Cup and Euro 96. Then, in the first of two spells with Inter Milan, he steered the Italian giants to the final of the 1997 UEFA Cup. Roy was lured back to England and guided Blackburn Rovers into Europe before returning to Switzerland to take charge of Grasshoppers FC. Hodgson broke new ground in Denmark where he won the championship with FC Copenhagen in 2001, leading to another assignment in Italy as boss of Udinese. After a two-year spell as coach of the United Arab Emirates, Roy moved to Norway with Viking Stavanger. While still with the club, he began a stint as manager of the Finland national team which ended before his appointment by Fulham in December, 2007. At the time, the London club were facing relegation but a thrilling late-season revival - including a crucial last-day victory at Portsmouth - saw them survive in the Premier League. In the 2008–09 season, Hodgson led Fulham to greater success. He led the club to seventh place in the Barclays Premier League which was the side's highest ever finish. This achievement resulted in qualification for the new UEFA Europa League. In recognition for this success Hodgson received the first ever Barclays Spirit Award. In 2009/10, Hodgson was named as the LMA Manager of the Year by a record margin after quite a remarkable season. Fulham's 64th and final game of the season was the club's first ever experience of a European Cup Final. Their Europa League adventure began in July 2009 and his side have clocked up almost 20,000 miles during 18 games en route to the final with notable wins over holders Shakhtar, Italian runners-up Juventus and German champions Wolfsburg. Unfortunately his side narrowly lost to Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the final but nevertheless Fulham enjoyed a fantastic season which also included a 12th place finish in the Barclays Premier League. They also reached the quarter-finals of The FA Cup. Following the departure of Rafael Benitez at Liverpool, the club identified Roy as their number one target and he was confirmed as their new manager prior to the 2010/11 season. He remained with the club until January 2011. He then enjoyed immediate success following his appointment at the Hawthorns, as Hodgson not only guided the club to safety in the Barclays Premier League but WBA finished in 11th place which was their best finish in nearly 30 years. With England he successfully guided the team to qualification for the World Cup Finals in Brazil. Having finished the campaign unbeaten and top of Group H with 22 points from 10 games, it was an extremely positive campaign. Added to that England had a record of just four goals conceded which was the second best in the European qualification, behind Spain. Hodgson's playing career began with Crystal Palace before he moved into non-league with clubs including Maidstone United. He then made an immediate impact as a coach. Roy was only 29 when he won the first of two Swedish championships with Halmstads BK in 1976. Later, he landed two titles - and lifted two domestic cups - for another Swedish club, Malmo FF. Hodgson, who also had a brief early spell at Bristol City, is much-valued as a regular adviser on technical matters by FIFA and UEFA.