Roy Hodgson’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless pursuit across various football landscapes. Born on 9 August 1947 in Croydon, London, his early playing career was modest, failing to break into the first-team at Crystal Palace. However, his real impact began off the pitch, as a manager shaping clubs across Scandinavia, Switzerland, Italy, and beyond. Despite a career that meandered across different leagues and nations, Hodgson has left an indelible mark on European football, becoming synonymous with tactical adaptability and persistent drive.
Hodgson’s first management opportunity came in Sweden with Halmstads BK, where his immediate success brought home two league championships in 1976 and 1979. This wasn’t merely luck—it was the beginning of a long-lasting legacy in the Swedish domestic scene. His ability to manage in foreign environments was apparent when Malmö FF, seduced by his brilliance, offered him a lifetime contract after he secured back-to-back league titles. Yet, the lure of new challenges pulled Hodgson once again, this time to England where he took charge at Bristol City in 1980. However, financial instability at the club curtailed his tenure, leading him back to Sweden with Örebro SK and later Malmö FF—where his tactical acumen led them to even greater domestic glory.
Hodgson’s career would later expand beyond Scandinavian shores. His tenure with Neuchâtel Xamax in Switzerland yielded unforgettable victories, defeating giants like Real Madrid and Glasgow Celtic, showcasing his tactical versatility. From there, he was entrusted with the Swiss national team, leading them to the 1994 World Cup in the USA—a rare feat for the Swiss, as they advanced to the Last 16. This was followed by his move to Inter Milan, a club with grand ambitions. Though his time in Italy was filled with ups and downs, Hodgson’s ability to build competitive teams stood out, culminating in UEFA Cup success in 1997.
However, Italy wasn’t the only place where his managerial prowess was tested. Blackburn Rovers brought him to England in 1997. While he led them to European football, injuries, poor signings, and off-field unrest saw his tenure end in disappointment. It was a harsh reality, but Hodgson took the lessons from that experience and moved on—briefly returning to Inter Milan and later coaching Grasshopper in Zurich. His managerial wanderlust never waned; he moved on to Denmark with F.C. Copenhagen, where success once again followed, securing the Danish Superliga title in 2001.
Hodgson’s reputation saw him shortlisted for the England national team post in the early 2000s, but Sven-Göran Eriksson was chosen. Instead, he turned to Udinese in Italy, where things didn’t go as planned, leading him to manage the United Arab Emirates national team—a brief yet tumultuous experience. By 2005, Hodgson was back in Scandinavia, leading Viking Stavanger in Norway before coaching the Finnish national team. Though they didn’t qualify for Euro 2008, his global experience made him a sought-after manager again. Fulham came calling in December 2007, and this was a turning point that reignited his career.
Roy Hodgson’s time at Fulham was transformative. With limited resources and steep expectations, he masterminded an incredible escape from relegation in 2008, followed by a 7th-place finish in the Premier League the next season. But what truly put his tactical brilliance on the map was the Europa League journey. Against all odds, Fulham reached the final, knocking out Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus along the way. It was a testament to his ability to extract the best from his players. Hodgson was rightfully awarded The League Managers Association Manager of the Year in 2010.
Liverpool, in search of stability following Rafael Benítez’s departure, turned to Hodgson in July 2010. At the age of 62, he was handed one of the biggest managerial jobs in world football. But the transition into this high-pressure environment proved difficult. After a dreadful first half of the season, with only seven victories from twenty games, the pressure intensified. Hodgson’s pragmatic style and management struggles weren’t aligning with Liverpool’s expectations. Ultimately, just five months into his tenure, he left ‘by mutual consent’ in January 2011, paving the way for Kenny Dalglish to step in.
Despite this setback, Hodgson didn’t step away from football. Within a month, he was appointed as West Bromwich Albion’s manager, where he worked wonders, steering the team away from relegation and, after two successful seasons, even leading them to European competition. This success caught the eye of the England Football Association, and Hodgson was appointed England manager ahead of the 2012 UEFA European Championships. Although England’s early exit in the Round of 16 was disappointing, Hodgson’s tactical resilience shone through again.
His ability to adapt and rebuild saw him move to Crystal Palace in September 2017, where he once again displayed his knack for steadying teams and navigating them through tough league campaigns. Hodgson’s football journey, with its twists and turns, is proof that setbacks do not define him. His deep knowledge of the game, his understanding of different football cultures, and his ability to connect with players make him one of the most versatile managers of his era. From humble beginnings in non-league football to leading storied clubs across Europe, Roy Hodgson remains a figure whose impact on football is both enduring and inspirational.
