Roy Hodgson quits as England manager after humiliating defeat by Iceland in Euro 2016 second round
England boss read out a prepared statement at his press conference after the shock defeat in Nice
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ROY HODGSON walked away from his England job with the abuse of the fans ringing in his ears following the WORST result in the country’s international history.
Furious fans chanted: “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” after the humiliating 2-1 loss to Iceland.
Hapless Hodgson refused to answer any questions but confirmed in a prepared statement that he would not be getting a new contract from the FA.
He said: “I would have loved to stay on for another two years but I am pragmatic and I know 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 extremely talented group of players.
“I am extremely disappointed about tonight’s result and our exit from the competition. We haven’t progressed as far as I thought we were capable of and that’s obviously not acceptable.
“I’m sorry it’s had to end this way with another exit from the tournament. 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 fairly soon.
“We’ve been unable to deliver.”
The FA refused to reveal if Hodgson had prepared his farewell speech BEFORE the match but confirmed that coaches Gary Neville and Ray Lewington will both be leaving with the manager.
Incredibly, Hodgson claimed he was “proud” of his work and his players despite failing in three major tournaments during his four and half years as England boss.
“I am proud of the work my coaching staff and I have achieved over our time at the helm of England,” he said.
“The transition from the squad whose average age was 30 to now being the youngest in the tournament is both remarkable and exciting for the future of English football.
“They have been fantastic and done everything that has been asked of them.
“When I arrived I as told that playes didn’t turn up to play for their country or that they oulld out at the last minute. I have not seen any f that.
“These players love to play for their country and their commitment has been unquestioned.
“It’s been a fantastic journey and it’s one I’ll look back on and remember with pride.”
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ROY HODGSON TIMELINE
May 2012: Succeeds Fabio Capello as England manager and sparks controversy by failing to select Rio Ferdinand for his Euro 2012 squad. Later that month, a goal from Ashley Young gives England a 1-0 friendly win in Norway in Hodgson's first match in charge.
June 2012: Hodgson is hailed for his tactical switch in England's second game of Euro 2012 against Sweden. Trailing 2-1, he replaces James Milner with Theo Walcott, who hits the equaliser than sets up the winner for Danny Welbeck. England eventually go out to Italy on penalties in the quarter-finals.
February 2013: Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard get the goals as England beat Brazil 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley for their first win over the South American side in 23 years.
October 2013: Hodgson's stock continues to rise as a 2-0 win over Poland ensures England will qualify unbeaten for the 2014 World Cup.
June 2014: Hodgson refuses to resign after a disastrous World Cup campaign, in which successive 2-1 defeats to Italy and Uruguay, followed by a redundant goalless draw against Costa Rica, see England exit at the group stage.
August 2014: Wayne Rooney is made the new England captain by Hodgson after Steven Gerrard announces his international retirement.
October 2015: A 3-0 win over Lithuania in Vilnius wraps up a perfect Euro 2016 qualifying campaign in which England win all 10 of their matches.
June 2016: Following a last-gasp group victory over Wales and disappointing performances against Russia and Slovakia, England are knocked out of Euro 2016 by minnows Iceland at the last-16 stage. After watching the island nation beat his side 2-1 in Nice to reach a quarter-final against France, Hodgson announces he is stepping down as manager.