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Managers queue up to praise Roy of the Fulham

last updated Friday 30th April 2010, 4:45 PM
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson
     
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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson was showered with praise from his peers on Friday after guiding Fulham to the first European final in their history.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists the veteran coach should be named Manager of the Year after a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Hamburg sent them into a Europa League final clash with big-spending Spaniards Atletico Madrid.

Fulham avoided relegation from the Premier League by the skin of their teeth in Hodgson's first season two years ago but completed a superb turnaround at Craven Cottage.

And Ferguson was unequivocal in his praise for Hodgson.

"Roy should be manager of the year, there is absolutely no doubt about it," he said.

"It is a miracle. Hopefully he does win it now but it is one of the best British performances of all time."

"I sent Roy a text message and everyone at the club was wishing them all the best," he added.

"They started in that tournament in July. July! Crikey. I was on the beach."

Ferguson's Premier League title rival, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, hailed an "unbelievable" achievement.

"To get Fulham to the final means Hodgson did a fantastic job this season," he said.

"He played a lot of games without a strong squad, so to get to the final is a fantastic result for him. We have to congratulate him for that because he did very well.

"For Fulham it's an unbelievable result."

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp added his name to the list of top-flight managers lauding 62-year-old Hodgson.

"Fulham have been absolutely brilliantly this year," said Redknapp.

"What Roy's done to get those results in Europe is amazing. They've had a really tough run beating Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Hamburg.

"They are all amazing results and he, along with his coaching staff, deserve all the credit in the world.

"Should he get manager of the year? Yes, I think so. Their European campaign has just been amazing."

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and Everton's David Moyes were similarly effusive.

"There should be huge admiration from every corner in the UK and Europe," said Latics chief Martinez.

"What Fulham have achieved this season is something to be very, very proud of," he said.

"You look at the teams they have played against - Roma, Juventus, Hamburg, Wolfsburg - and they are really top teams in European football.

"To get into the final is a huge achievement and I'm sure everyone at Craven Cottage is going to get huge credit, and deservedly so."

Moyes added: "I said in my programme notes last week I hope Fulham go on and win it and I remain that way.

"Roy has done a great job with Fulham and they deserve to be in the final. Hopefully they will go on and win it.

"They are a good team and are coached by a very good manager."

West Ham's Gianfranco Zola revealed Hodgson got his vote in the managers' poll.

"I think he has done a brilliant job this year," he said. "I watched them yesterday and they were really good considering the team he has got he has done very well. I was really impressed.

"I voted for him. I appreciate and admire what he has done because I think he has achieved a big result with this team. I have respect for what he has done and I will tell him on Sunday when I see him."







































































Source Simon Stone at PASport
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