After another competition-run ended in disappointment for the Three Lions, Roy Hodgson decided it was time to part ways with the national squad.
The jinx that the English face in international tournaments struck again, as they bowed out rather unceremoniously to underdogs Iceland. Wayne Rooney’s early penalty strike gave the Three Lions just the start they needed, but instead of putting the game to bed, they ended up conceding two goals in the span of 15 minutes.
Roy Hodgson was a dejected figure on the touchline, and his facial expressions often narrated the sorry tale. It seemed that the former Liverpool boss was out of options, as he threw in Jamie Vardy and Marcus Rashford, giving the side a total of four strikers on the field. The imbalance was evident as his side failed to create telling chances in the closing minutes of the game. Rashford’s presence gave England some zest down the left flank, but it was too late.
In the post-match press conference, Hodgson shocked the journalists in the room with his decision to step down. He read out of a pre-prepared statement (via UEFA) that said:
“I am extremely disappointed about tonight’s result and ultimately our exit from the competition. We haven’t progressed as far as I’d thought we were capable of and ultimately it is not acceptable. I am proud of the work my coaching staff and I have achieved during our time at the helm of England, the transition from a squad whose average age was 30 to now being the youngest in the tournament is remarkable and exciting for the future of English football.”
“I’d have loved to stay on for another two years. However, I am pragmatic and 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. They have been fantastic and have done everything that has been asked of them,” he added.
“When I arrived, I was told players didn’t turn up to play for their country or pulled out at the last minute but I’ve not seen any of that. These players love to play for their country and their commitment has been unquestioned.”
The footballing world wasn’t a forgiving bunch. Here’s how the drama unfolded on Twitter:
What’s the difference between Roy Hodgson & Jeremy Corbyn?
One of them’s out of their depth & out of Europe, and the other’s just resigned.— @corbynjokes (@corbynjokes) June 27, 2016
Roy Hodgson’s #ENG tournament record
A 27% win percentage.
Who next?https://t.co/NI1sjtGRxI pic.twitter.com/5hBIYSbe2U
— BBC 5 live Sport (@5liveSport) June 27, 2016
Interesting how that statement read by Hodgson was made already!!!?
— LloydOwusu (@LloydOwusu) June 27, 2016
Hodgson resigns. There’s only one ideal man to make us great… ME ! Clearly I know my football ! #liddel4england
— Jimmy Liddel (@jimmyliddel) June 27, 2016
FA insists Hodgson composed his resignation statement in the dressing-room after the match. #eng
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) June 27, 2016
Hodgson resigns.
Years too late if you ask me.
— Matt (@FalseFirmino) June 27, 2016
Roy Hodgson, Ray Lewington & Gary Neville to leave the FA also.
A whole new fresh approach and Gary Nev back on Sky Sports punditry. (Y)
— Football Super Tips (@FootySuperTips) June 27, 2016
Roy Hodgson should be thankful he’s not Japanese or he’d have to cut his guts shortly after the final whistle.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) June 27, 2016
Hodgson does the Cameron and just resigns so he can’t really get scrutinised with questions.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) June 27, 2016
That is either the fastest ever written statement or Roy had that ready to go #Hodgson
— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 27, 2016
Presumably we’ll reflect the We’ve Got Our Country Back mood by replacing Hodgson with Sam Allardyce and hitting the long diagonals to Andy.
— Michael Hann (@MichaelAHann) June 27, 2016
Hodgson’s quit. His swift decision is appreciated.
— Jonny Gould (@jonnygould) June 27, 2016
Weird how Hodgson just read his resignation speech from scraps of paper (written before the game?)
— Jason Henderson (@Jason_AW) June 27, 2016
So a statement from Hodgson but no questions or interviews. No explanation on tonight to #eng fans who spend £££££ on this team.
— Mark Chapman (@markchapman) June 27, 2016
That’s Cameron and Hodgson gone, only need the Queen to resign for my accumulator to come in
— Alex Jones (@alex_ydw_i) June 27, 2016
The @fa needs a total reform now to #savegrassrootsfooty and our National team #Hodgson
— SaveGrassRootsFooty (@savegrassroots) June 27, 2016
English FA: “Roy, you will resign.”
Hodgson: “I will resign?”
English FA: “Good. We accept.”
— Andreas Glocknersson (@AndyGlockner) June 27, 2016
Roy Hodgson resigned quicker than David Cameron #ENG
— indykaila News (@indykaila) June 27, 2016
Hodgson has had that resignation letter typed up since he was appointed. Just edits it every now and then.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) June 27, 2016
Roy resigning with the words “these things happen” is the most Hodgson thing ever. Everything happens to him, passive voice. He does nada.
— Dina Bass (@dinabass) June 27, 2016
Hodgson just rage quit looool this guy is actually the deadest manager. Ruins teams
— ✪ (@YousufStalin) June 27, 2016
Roy Hodgson does a Cameron: immediate resignation speech, all futile dignity, after Euro-catastrophe. Our football has reflected our country
— David Conn (@david_conn) June 27, 2016
Think it’s a disgrace. Hodgson looked like he had prepared that speech. What kinda mentality is that? Going into a game preparing to lose?
— Guvna B (@GuvnaB) June 27, 2016
Hodgson resigns …. Better than winning the euros
— WestHamFanTV (@westhamfantv) June 27, 2016
First decision Hodgson has got right in about 10 years
— Hayden Barry (@haydenbarry1997) June 27, 2016
Hodgson resigns & cancels press conference, refuses to answer questions or do interviews. Pundits say that’s ‘honourable’
I need a laugh ffs— Jim Slaven (@JimSlaven) June 27, 2016
Hodgson leaves a legacy of mediocrity, acceptance of the absolute bare minimum. Nothing more. #ENG
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) June 27, 2016
ITV studio slaughters Hodgson
<Hodgson resigns>
ITV praises Hodgson for what he’s done
— Jagstwit (@Jagstwit) June 27, 2016
Given his expertise at exiting Europe Hodgson quits in order to declare himself a candidate for the leader of the Conservative party.
— Andy Heaton (@Andrew_Heaton) June 27, 2016
Pathetic from Hodgson. Should explain what went wrong in game. What has happened to the world? Crap. And theyll call him dignified. Bollocks
— James Corrigan (@jcorrigangolf) June 27, 2016