Article by Romeo Ene – Published on Tuesday, 31 March 2026, 19:53 / Updated on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 19:53
Roy Hodgson he returned to coaching at 78 years old. The technician took over Bristol City, a team in the Championship. The renowned technician gave an interview in The Guardian in which he made, among other things, a comparison with Mircea Lucescu (80 years old), the Romanian national coach.
“Il Luce” went through complicated moments on Sunday, when he fainted in the training of the “tricolors”. He was hospitalized and did not travel to Slovakia for the friendly match.
And Hodgson went through difficult times two years ago. In 2024, when he was training Crystal Palace, he collapsed in training and was hospitalised. Later, he resigned.
Roy Hodgson, on Mircea Lucescu's situation: “I know what football can do to you and I have to make sure it doesn't happen to me”
Hodgson he saw what happened to Lucescu and explains that he will be very careful in the next period, so that he does not face a similar situation.
“It's important to do the right thing, not just for the club and the players, but for myself. As I've joked with the staff, I have no intention of dying on the bench like one of the all-time greats, Jock Stein, I don't want that to happen.
Lucescu, whom I know quite well, had a problem. I know what football can do to you and I have to make sure it doesn't happen to me.
If something is needed, I have to be a support for the people around the club, for the players and staff, not for them to be a help for me.
It all boils down to two words: energy and enthusiasm. If you don't have these two, it won't work. I think when those disappear, it's time to retireHodgson noted.
Who is Roy Hodgson?
He led the Swiss national team to the 'round of 16' of the 1994 World Cup and qualification for Euro 1996, as Switzerland had not qualified for a major tournament since the 1960s.
From 2006 to 2007, he coached the Finland national team, leading them to their best ever FIFA ranking of 33rd and coming close to qualifying for a major tournament for the first time in their history.
Hodgson also coached the England national team from May 2012 to June 2016, during which time he was on the bench for two European tournaments and one World Cup.
Liverpool, Inter Milan and Malmo were some of the most important teams coached by the Englishman.
