Roy Hodgson jokes about ex-Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson's 'text' on return to management

Roy Hodgson has joked that Sir Alex Ferguson would think he is a fool for returning to management at 75.

Hodgson re-joined Crystal Palace during the international break following the sacking of Patrick Vieira - the man who replaced him in 2021 - after a run of form that sees them winless this year and being pulled into a relegation battle.

In returning to the dugout, the former England boss will break his own record as the oldest manager to take charge of a Premier League team. He will be 75 years and 235 days old when his side face Leicester City in a huge clash on Saturday.

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“I would think if Alex [Ferguson] was to text me he would be saying ‘what are you doing, you fool?’,” Hodgson joked when asked if any old colleagues had been in touch.

“I’ve had lots of nice messages. I’m fortunate as well that I get messages from abroad, so that’s always a nice thing. But this is that nice period.

“Training has been very enjoyable. I have really enjoyed being with the players out there. It has been a pleasant time. It has not been enormously stressful because we haven’t lost a game yet.

“But the stress, I’m afraid, starts on Saturday. The next time you see me here you might see someone a lot less relaxed than I seem to be at this moment in time. Experience, or no experience.”

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