At the end of January, Roy Hodgson took over as Watford manager after former boss Claudio Ranieri was sacked. In his first two games in charge, a certain defensive solidity has been apparent with a 0-0 draw against Burnley followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to West Ham. Speaking to the press ahead of the match, the 74-year-old revealed that he had at least been offered some words of support from honorary life-president Sir Elton John.
Roy Hodgson said: “It was another privilege. He called me before the game against Burnley to wish us luck and to welcome me to the club. So that was another good moment, if you like, in my life. And another story I can tell over dinner tables in the future.”
The music icon was also keen to ask about the former manager and now assistant coach Ray Lewington.
Roy Hodgson said: “Ray Lewington has enormous respect and time for him. And in fact, one of the first things he [Sir Elton] said during the conversation was to ask about Ray, ask how he was doing. So he takes a keen interest, his club, his players, his staff. And most importantly of all, he is a football man. He loves football, he particularly loves Watford playing football. We’re very lucky to have him.”
Hodgson then named ‘Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me’, Sacrifice’, and ‘Nikita’ as some of his favourite songs, before calling Sir Elton a legend.
Roy Hodgson said: “The word ‘legend’ I think is used a little bit too often these days, but if you really want to talk about someone who is a legend, then Elton John would be one of the few that I would definitely say, ‘This man is a legend’.”
The musician is set to play two nights at Vicarage Road this summer as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour on July 3 and July 4.
Roy Hodgson added: “I simply had to play Vicarage Road a final time as part of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. My relationships with the club, with the fans, the players and the staff over the years have meant the world to me. Through the good times and the bad, Watford has been a huge part of my life. I love the club so dearly, and have had some of the best days of my life in those stands – these shows are going to be so incredibly emotional, and to spend them surrounded by my fellow Watford fans will be wonderful. We’ve been on quite the journey together. Come on you ‘Orns!”
