MY ACCOUNT
Roy Hodgson has confirmed that he will leave Watford at the end of the season and does not plan on managing in the Premier League again.
The 74-year-old unexpectedly came out of retirement to take over at Vicarage Road from Claudio Ranieri in January.
But he has overseen just two wins in 14 games and with the Hornets set to drop back into the Championship, Hodgson feels his time at the top level is over.
He said: “I’ve enjoyed my time doing the job. It’s a very demanding world.
“Obviously, it’s a short-term [deal]. Certainly, I made it clear it would need to be a short-term one between now and the end of the season. I took that job on and came out of retirement to do that particular job.
“Now that job has unfortunately ended. I don’t think I shall be putting my name forward any more for further sorties in the world of Premier League football.
“I think I’ve earned the right to step back and enjoy some free time and spend some time with my wife and son.”
The ex-England manager has spent over 45 years in the dugout, including spells at Liverpool, Blackburn, Fulham, West Brom and Inter Milan plus international experience with Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates and Finland.
He left Crystal Palace last summer but was tempted back into the game by Watford and speaking shortly after picking up a CBE for services to football, admitted he would not be against taking on another role in the game.
Hodgson added: “I think you can speak to any other managers that have actually decided to step aside and announce their retirement, but they still do something within the game.
“I’d like to think that I’m always going to be passionate enough about the game and involved enough in the game that some particular aspect of work might come my way which I think I can happily do but as I say, it’s not something I’m punting for.
“It certainly won’t be in charge of a Premier League team. I think that’s my swansong on that one.”
Watford are 12 points from safety with four games left and need victory at Palace on Saturday and other results to go their way to maintain their top-flight status.
