Hodgson believes his recent media persona is unfair.
England manager Roy Hodgson has disputed the recent portrayal of him in the media as “mr. angry” has been unfair, report talkSPORT, as the Three Lions prepare for a crucial European Championship qualifying trip to Basel to face Switzerland on Monday evening.
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Hodgdson snapped at reports in the wake of England’s 1-0 friendly victory over Norway, played in front of a sparse crowd at Wembley, after criticism of his side for mustering just two shots on target in the match against a middle-of-the-road Norwegian side.
He was also seen to have been berating his players during a training session, but Hodgson disputed the “angry” tag during an interview with the radio station:
“I don’t really understand the Mr Angry bit. I wasn’t angry at all.”
“The last people I was angry with were the players. I suppose, if anything, I’m being penalised here for having a robust defence of the players and maybe the way they performed and the way they worked in the game. I might be guilty of that but I certainly wasn’t angry.”
The media spotlight is very much on Hodgson and his Three Lions ahead of their vital trip to Basel, coming as it does on the back of a disastrous campaign at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, whilst star striker Daniel Sturridge has also been ruled out of the match with an injury sustained in training.
With Switzerland having impressed to an extent at the World Cup, taking finalists Argentina to the verge of a penalty shoot-out in their last 16 clash, the game is sure to be a tricky encounter for Hodgson as he looks to overcome the criticism.