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Roy Hodgson's greatest managerial moments at Crystal Palace, Fulham and more

Roy Hodgson has not contemplated retirement as he nears end of Palace contract

From European glory to one of the Premier League's longest serving and oldest managers. Roy Hodgson's career had its ups and downs but it will certainly be one to remember.

Roy Hodgson has confirmed that he will be leaving Crystal Palace and retiring from football management at the end of the 2020/21 Premier League season.

Although most will remember his roles at Crystal Palace, West Brom, Blackburn, Liverpool, Fulham and England, the South-Londoner also had a long and varied career in Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark and Italy.

Hodgson will forever be remembered as one of the most-well travelled, experienced and well-respected managers in the sport. So before Liverpool and England fans start firing out the inevitable criticism, Planet Sport runs you through a handful of his career highlights.

But who will fill Hodgson's shoes at Selhurst Park next season? - the smart money is on Frank Lampard.

Swedish glory

Hodgson had a range of success in Scandinavia in his early days of management. He began at relegation candidates Halmstad who played in the Allsvenskan.

The season before his arrival the Swedish side only managed to remain the in league thanks to goal difference. However, Hodgson would achieve the unthinkable in the 1976 season.

Hodgson went on to win the Allsvenskan title in 1976 and 1979, considered as one of the biggest surprises of all-time in Swedish football.

It became one of Hodgson's greatest achievements.

As well as Halmstad, Hodgson led Malmo FF to league domination. During his four year tenure at Malmo, the Englishman achieved five consecutive league championships, two Swedish championships and two Swedish cups, revolutionising Swedish football.

Switzerland national team transformation

Roy Hodgson became manager of the Switzerland national team in 1992, hoping to transform the side that could compete at the highest level.

Before Hodgson was appointed, Switzerland hadn't qualified for a major competition since the 1966 World Cup and winter sports were really the only concern for their population. Things were about to change.

Roy Hodgson, Switzerland national team, international

Hodgson in 1992

Hodgson revamped the Swiss and took them to the 1994 World Cup. After only losing one game in qualification, they drew with Romania, Colombia, and the United States in Group A. Hodgson took them to the round-of-16 before being knocked out by Spain.

Switzerland easily booked their place for Euro 1996, once again only facing defeat once in qualification. However, Hodgson wasn't in the role for the tournament after taking the job at Inter Milan in 1995.

Under Hodgson soccer became one of the most popular sports in Switzerland.

The Italian Job

After he helped Switzerland make Euro 1996, Hodgson joined Inter Milan in 1995, hoping to rebuild the Italian giants.
The seasons before his arrival, Inter had finished thirteenth and sixth. And after a terrible start to the 1995 campaign, Hodgson was brought in to rescue the Italian side from relegation.
He did exactly that. By the end of 1995/96, Inter Milan finished seventh, qualifying for the UEFA Cup.
The following 1996/97 season saw the Hodgson leave Inter Milan due to a lack of stars in the squad, though he left the club in third place, as well as runners-up in the UEFA Cup, where Inter lost on penalties to Schalke.
Hodgson once again helped a side out of the mud, developing a lacklustre Inter side into title challengers again.

UEFA Cup success at Craven Cottage

After taking the reigns at seven different sides following his departure from Inter Milan, in December 2007, Roy Hodgson was surprisingly appointed as Fulham boss with the Cottagers 18th in the Premier League, two points from safety.

After a disappointing beginning, Hodgson kept Fulham in the Premier League, gaining 12 points from their last five games.

In his second season in charge, a haul of summer signings prompted a Fulham revival in the Premier League. In the 2008/09 season, Hodgson guided the London side to European qualification, for the all new Europa League.

And in that following season Hodgson performed miracles for the Fulham faithful. The manager guided Fulham to the 2009/10 Europa League final against Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid.

After 90 minutes the game remained 1-1. However, a goal from Diego Forlan late in extra time sealed the title for the Spanish side.

Although the London side lost in the final, it was seen as a great success.

For Hodgson, personal glory was also around the corner, as he was awarded the 2010 LMA Manager of the Year by a record margin.

Saving Palace from relegation

In September 2017, Roy Hodgson was appointed manager of his boyhood side Crystal Palace with another seemingly impossible task of keeping them in the Premier League.

After losing their first seven league games (four under previous manager Frank De Boer), Hodgson led Palace to safety, finishing in a remarkable 11th place. No team had previously survived relegation from the top flight after losing their first seven games.

The following season, Hodgson led Palace to their best ever season in the Premier League, finishing with 49 points.

At the age of 71 years and 198 days, the Hodgson became the oldest man to manage in the Premier League, breaking Sir Bobby Robson's record.

After 45 years of managerial service, Roy Hodgson will be remembered as one of the most respected managers in English and European soccer.

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