Roy Hodgson

Lore & Background

Hodgson has managed 22 different teams in eight countries, beginning in Sweden with Halmstad in 1976. He guided the Switzerland national team to the last 16 of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996. From 2006 to 2007, he managed the Finland national team, guiding them to their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 33rd place. He managed the England national team from May 2012 to June 2016. Other clubs he has managed include Inter Milan, Blackburn Rovers, Malmö, Grasshoppers, Copenhagen, Udinese, Fulham, Liverpool, West Bromwich Albion, Watford, and Crystal Palace. He is one of only five managers to have managed 1,000 or more club games and 100 or more national team games. He speaks five languages.

Reader's Guide

Hodgson started his managerial career in 1976 at Halmstad, winning the league championship in 1976 and 1979. He later managed Malmö to five consecutive league championships. He took over as manager of the Switzerland national team on 26 January 1992. His playing career included youth football at Crystal Palace and non-league spells with Tonbridge, Gravesend & Northfleet, Maidstone United, Ashford Town, Berea Park (South Africa), and Carshalton Athletic.

Did You Know?

• He speaks five languages and has worked as a television pundit in several countries.
• His greatest achievement, by his own account, was the 'water-into-wine job' at Halmstad in 1976.
• He is still highly appreciated by Malmö fans, who have unofficially named a section of the Stadion 'Roy's Hörna' (Roy's Corner).