He must have been waiting all week to use that one.
Roy Hodgson returned to management on Saturday afternoon, taking charge of Crystal Palace’s game against Southampton. It was his first time in the dugout since resigning as England manager last June after losing to Iceland at Euro 2016.
However, the end result was the same as that match in France. No, Hodgson didn’t lose to a team coached by a dentist, the smallest nation to ever qualify for a major tournament, but he was unable to prevent Palace falling to a fifth defeat of the season, as Saints claimed a 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park. The London club are yet to even score a goal in the Premier League this season.
Next up in the league, Palace have games against Manchester City and Manchester United away, and Chelsea at home. It could be a long season for the club, and it already seems like Hodgson will have to draw on his vast experience as a manager to prevent them dropping into the Championship.
The former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss has been a manager for over 40 years, and despite possessing a very credible record in the dugout, his final game as England coach will never be forgotten.
Hodgson cut a desperate figure on the sideline as his team suffered a meltdown against Iceland in the last-16 of Euro 2016. After taking an early lead, England conceded two goals and then froze, struggling to make basic passes as the pressure appeared to get to every player in a white shirt. Hodgson resigned following the final whistle and was forced by the FA to attend an embarrassing press conference the next day.
Hodgson would undoubtedly rather forget the whole episode, so it’s just as well he didn’t hear Sky Sports commentator Alan Parry on Saturday afternoon.
Parry made a cheeky joke about Hodgson and Iceland, saying:
“There’s a supermarket at the corner of Selhurst Park, and Roy Hodgson will be glad it’s not Iceland.”
We reckon the commentator had been waiting all week to use that gag.
ha, an Iceland joke against Hodgson! Well played #palsou
— Rob Butler (@robbutler1984) September 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/haddz_/status/909033831482748928
https://twitter.com/GabeThornes/status/909033747479220224
'For those who don't know, there's a supermarket on the corner of Selhurst Park, he (Roy Hodgson) must be glad it's not an 'Iceland' 😅
— Peter McGowran (@petemcgowran) September 16, 2017
Great line from Alan Parry: "There's a supermarket in the corner of Selhurst Park. Roy Hodgson will be glad it's not called Iceland." 😂
— Adam Higgins (@HigginsAdam95) September 16, 2017
https://twitter.com/GabeThornes/status/909033747479220224
https://twitter.com/Shit_PunditsSay/status/909034407939510273
Commentator:
"Hodgson will be relieved the supermarket on corner of Selhurst isn't an Iceland" *chuckle*#CRYSOU pic.twitter.com/8BIopNT2e8— Migtavius 🦅 (@Migtavius) September 16, 2017
