Roy Hodgson regrets relegation but not accepting Watford job

Roy Hodgson insisted he had no regrets about taking the Watford job after relegation was confirmed following a 1-0 defeat at old club Crystal Palace.

Wilfried Zaha’s 31st-minute penalty consigned the Hornets to a 25th Premier League loss of the campaign, which sealed their fate but the writing had been on the wall after last weekend’s 2-1 reverse at home to Burnley.

The 74-year-old came out of retirement in January to try and keep Watford in the division but was only able to secure two wins and this is the first time he has ever been relegated from the Premier League.

“No, none at all,” Hodgson insisted when asked if he regretted taking the job.

“I have never sat and given a press conference in charge of a (top flight) team that has been relegated. It is a first for me and it is a first I wasn’t looking forward to claiming.

“I haven’t felt good all week and the only thing that has cheered me up is the fact the players today showed a lot of character and gave a good performance.”

During a distinguished managerial career that started in 1976, Hodgson’s only previous taste of relegation was from his short spell in charge of Bristol City 40 years ago.

It was an afternoon of mixed emotions for the veteran boss, who was serenaded on multiple occasions by the Selhurst Park crowd after they were unable to give their ex-manager a proper send-off last May due to Covid-19 restrictions.

He added: “I’m feeling different to how I felt last Saturday when we lost two late goals against Burnley and that left us 12 points plus goal difference behind not only one team but three teams and I felt pretty bad then because it was obvious we were relegated.

“Today I have a lot of good feelings, really. Firstly from the reception, from a personal