Roy Hodgson looking forward to ‘massive challenge’ at Watford
Former England boss Roy Hodgson feels ready for the massive challenge of keeping Watford in the Premier League.
Hodgson was announced as the club’s new manager on Tuesday evening following the departure of Claudio Ranieri after only 16 weeks in charge.
The 74-year-old will be joined at Vicarage Road by assistant Ray Lewington, who managed the Hornets from 2002 until 2005.
Hodgson becomes the Hornets’ 15th permanent manager in the last 10 years, and the third boss this season after Xisco Munoz was dismissed in October.
Having left Crystal Palace at the end of last season after another campaign safely in the top flight, Hodgson now inherits a relegation-threatened team sitting 19th.
Watford were beaten 3-0 at home by relegation rivals Norwich last Friday night and are two points from safety, with their next Premier League match at bottom club Burnley on February 5.
“It’s a massive challenge, but it’s a challenge I believe I’m ready to take on and one that I’m very excited about,” Hodgson said on Watford’s official website.
“I’m certainly looking forward to it, and if the players are as good as I think they can be, then I’m hopeful of helping the club to another season in the Premier League.
“I’m confident in the sense that I’ve been in situations that aren’t so different to this before, at Fulham, West Brom and Palace.
“The period of time I had to change things might have been a bit longer on each occasion – and at West Brom the league position wasn’t as bleak – but in terms of coming in, getting my ideas across and getting the team playing, it feels somewhat similar.
“It’s going to be a difficult job for Ray and I, as I’m sure it would be for anybody, but I feel we’ve got the ability to be successful.
“I can certainly
