Roy Hodgson has confirmed he will leave Watford at the end of the current season and hinted he has now retired from Premier League management for good.
The 74-year-old, who is the league’s oldest ever head coach, was speaking after receiving a CBE for services to football.
Watford are all but relegated as they sit 12 points adrift of safety with four games to play and with an inferior goal difference to 17th-placed Leeds.
“Obviously, it’s a short-term [deal], he told Sky Sports. “Certainly, I made it clear it would need to be a short-term one between now and the end of the season. I took that job on and came out of retirement to do that particular job.
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“Now that job has unfortunately ended. I’ve enjoyed my time doing the job. I don’t think I shall be putting my name forward anymore for further sorties in the world of Premier League football. It’s a very demanding world and I think I’ve earnt the right to step back and enjoy some free time and spend some time with my wife and son.”
The Hornets are yet to win a home game under Hodgson and face Crystal Palace, Everton, Leicester City and Chelsea in their final four matches of the 2021-22 season.
He overcame his infamous feud with mascot Harry the Hornet – whom he once branded “a disgrace” for imitating that Wilfried Zaha had dived while in charge of Crystal Palace – to replace Claudio Ranieri in January. But he becomes the 16th permanent manager to depart in the last 10 years. In that time, only Gianfranco Zola and Javi Gracia lasted more than a year.
It was hoped his vast Premier League experience would keep Watford up against the odds, but he has won just two of his 14 matches in charge so far. A win percentage of 14.3 per cent is the worst of his career since 1982, when he managed Bristol City.
Hodgson added, however, that he could return to football at some stage, even if not in the dugout.
“I don’t think we’ll ever lose that [itchy feet],” he said. “I think you can speak to any other managers that have actually decided to step aside and announce their retirement, but they still do something within the game.
“I’d like to think that I’m always going to be passionate enough about the game and involved enough in the game that some particular aspect of work might come way which I think I can happily do but as I say, it’s not something I’m punting for.”
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