Former England boss Hodgson hits out at press

Matt Stead

Roy Hodgson has hit out at “the written press” in his first public comments since England’s failure at Euro 2016.

Hodgson headed into the competition as the highest-paid manager of the 32 in France, but England were a major disappointment.

They qualified from their group after two disappointing draws against Russia and Slovakia, while a last-gasp victory over Wales handed them their only win.

A last-16 tie with Iceland was expected to deliver safe passage to the quarter-finals, but England were stunned as the minnows secured a 2-1 win in the summer.

Hodgson left his post as manager shortly thereafter, and has not publicly discussed the failings since.

Writing for UEFA coaching magazine, The Technician, he made clear his views on one of the reasons why England might have failed.

‘The written press is very dangerous. They can take the words that you say and make it sound very, very different to how it actually was. But you can’t beat them.

‘You’ve got to try to avoid the temptation to get some sort of revenge the next time you’re in front of that media group when you’ve read something you don’t like.’