Humiliated Hodgson and England make sombre Euro 2016 exit

Chantilly (France) (AFP) – England’s now ex-coach Roy Hodgson said he was unsure why he had to appear at an awkward press conference on Tuesday after his team’s humiliating Euro 2016 defeat by Iceland.

“I don’t really know what I’m doing here. I thought my statement last night was sufficient,” Hodgson told the media in Chantilly as England’s players solemnly departed their luxurious hotel to return home.

Hodgson had resigned in a statement after the 2-1 defeat on Monday and he made clear his displeasure that he was was forced to appear alongside Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn.

“As a manager, I am responsible so it’s not about transferring blame to the players,” Hodgson said.

“We feel very sad we couldn’t deliver what we wanted to deliver.

“Of course we are sorry we couldn’t give the results we were hoping for. There is not much more I can say on the subject.”

Glenn paid tribute to Hodgson but said it was time for England to analyse “the lack of performance at the business end of tournaments over a period of time” before appointing a new coach.

“People are looking for quick answers because we are feeling raw,” Glenn said.

“I think we need to have a wide consultation. There is not one single thing that we can say ‘if we fix that it will work’.”

Goalkeeper Joe Hart, blamed for Kolbeinn Sigthorsson’s 18th-minute winner for Iceland, was the first player to board the bus outside the luxurious Auberge du Jeu de Paume hotel in Chantilly.

He was followed by team-mates including Wayne Rooney, the captain, and Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, who carried a cup of coffee in his hand.

There had been around 100 journalists, photographers, fans and onlookers outside England’s hotel when the squad arrived on June 6, but that number was halved for the players’ departure.

Some fans shouted out the names of their favourite players — Rooney being particularly solicited — but none of the 23-man squad spoke a word as they climbed the steps onto the coach.

England’s players and staff had flown back from Nice to Le Bourget airport outside Paris earlier on Tuesday. They were due to return to England from Le Bourget.