Roy Hodgson doesn’t look like someone who delves deep into popular culture, but Bobby Zamora has recalled a dressing room tale which disproves that statement completely.
Fulham were preparing for the biggest game in their recent history – a Europa League last-16 first-leg tie at Juventus – but Hodgson managed to bring some pre-match humour to the Cottagers’ dressing room.
Speaking in the June edition of FourFourTwo Zamora said: “We always used to have the music blaring in the dressing room. Before that first leg against Juventus in Turin, a huge game, ‘Down Under’ by Men at Work came on.
“It must have brought back some memories from somewhere. It was hilarious.”
It may nothave had the desired effect: Juventus won the first leg 3-1 – though Fulham responded with a historic 4-1 victory in the reverse leg, helping them on their way to the 2010 Europa League final, where they were beaten by Atletico Madrid.
And Zamora would even go so far to say that Hodgson is the best manager he has ever worked under.
The former striker has worked with countless top-class managers at both club and international level, but ranks the former Fulham boss as his number one.
When asked to pick his favourite gaffer, he said: “I think I must have played for every manager!
“Glenn Hoddle signed me for Spurs, and I also played under Steve Coppell, Ian Holloway, Alan Pardew, Harry Redknapp, Roy Hodgson, Fabio Capello and many more.
“I’d say Hodgson was probably the best – he had us so regimented that I could have played left-back for Fulham!”
