Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson hailed by his peers
Roy Hodgson was showered with praise from his peers on Friday after guiding Fulham to the first European final in their history.[LNB] 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 last night sent them into a Europa League final clash with big-spending Spaniards Atletico Madrid.[LNB]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 last night.[LNB]And Ferguson was unequivocal in his praise for Hodgson.[LNB]"Roy should be manager of the year, there is absolutely no doubt about it," he said.[LNB]"It is a miracle. Hopefully he does win it now but it is one of the best British performances of all time."[LNB]"I sent Roy a text message and everyone at the club was wishing them all the best," he added.[LNB]"They started in that tournament in July. July! Crikey. I was on the beach."[LNB]Ferguson's Premier League title rival, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti, hailed an "unbelievable" achievement.[LNB]"To get Fulham to the final means Hodgson did a fantastic job this season," he said.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"For Fulham it's an unbelievable result."[LNB]Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp added his name to the list of top-flight managers lauding 62-year-old Hodgson.[LNB]"Fulham have been absolutely brilliantly this year," said Redknapp.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"They are all amazing results and he, along with his coaching staff, deserve all the credit in the world.[LNB]"Should he get manager of the year? Yes, I think so. Their European campaign has just been amazing."[LNB]Wigan boss Roberto Martinez and Everton's David Moyes were similarly effusive.[LNB]"There should be huge admiration from every corner in the UK and Europe," said Latics chief Martinez.[LNB]"What Fulham have achieved this season is something to be very, very proud of," he said.[LNB]"You look at the teams they have played against - Roma, Juventus, Hamburg, Wolfsburg - and they are really top teams in European football.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Moyes added: "I said in my programme notes last week I hope Fulham go on and win it and I remain that way.[LNB]"Roy has done a great job with Fulham and they deserve to be in the final. Hopefully they will go on and win it.[LNB]"They are a good team and are coached by a very good manager."[LNB]West Ham's Gianfranco Zola revealed Hodgson got his vote in the managers' poll.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."
