ROY HODGSON was clearly emotional as he was given a guard of honour for the final home game of his long career.
Crystal Palace and Arsenal players clapped the Eagles boss onto the pitch at Selhurst Park ahead of the penultimate game of his 1,200-plus game managerial career.
The 73-year-old received an incredible reception from the 6,500 Palace fans, who chanted ‘he’s one of our own’ as the manager made his way through the guard.
Both sets of players applauded Hodgson and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta offered him a handshake.
The 39-year-old coach wasn’t even alive when the departing Palace boss started his managerial career 45 years ago.
The ex-England coach announced he will be leaving his position at Selhurst Park at the end of the season on Monday.
Hodgson said as the news broke: “After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football.”
The early favourite to succeed him at Palace is former Derby County and Chelsea manager Frank Lampard.
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
Hodgson has enjoyed a superb coaching career since becoming the manager of Swedish side Halmstad in 1976.
As well as in Sweden, he’s coached in Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Norway and his native England.
The English clubs on his CV are Bristol City, Blackburn Rovers, Fulham, Liverpool, West Brom and boyhood club Palace.
Hodgson has also coached at international level, leading Switzerland, the UAE, Finland and England.
He’s won the Danish title, two Swedish cups and SEVEN Swedish titles, as well as taking both Inter Milan and Fulham to the Europa League final.
Speaking to BT Sport, former Arsenal and Sweden midfielder Freddie Ljungberg said: “He’s a legend [in Sweden] and he’s a legend here, too.
“He came to my home club [Halmstad], where I was born and played at until I was 20 and went to Arsenal, and he won the league.
“At my home club he’s really seen as the man… he’s talked about [a lot].”
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
