Greg Dyke hails Roy Hodgson's 40th year as a manager

The 68-year-old’s long and varied career has seen him oversee 19 teams in eight countries

Roy Hodgson took up his first managerial post 40 years ago, at Halmstad in Sweden (PA)

Football Association chairman Greg Dyke has paid a glowing tribute to England manager Roy Hodgson as he reaches the 40th anniversary of his first managerial appointment.

Hodgson, who will lead England to the Euro 2016 finals this summer, moved into management when he took charge of Swedish side Halmstad in 1976.

The 68-year-old’s long and varied career has seen him oversee 19 teams in eight countries. Internazionale, Liverpool, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion are among the clubs he has managed, while he has also led the Switzerland, Finland and United Arab Emirates national teams.

Dyke said: “Roy is a great example to any aspiring coach that being open to new experiences and cultures can really develop you as a person. His CV is quite remarkable and it is hard to think of another coach of his stature that has been prepared to learn and grow the way he has.

“What a fantastic achievement – 40 years coaching at the level he has puts him up there with the great English coaches, much-revered people like Sir Bobby Robson, Dave Sexton and Don Howe.”

He has been England manager since 2012, and although his future beyond this summer is uncertain, Dyke believes he has been a superb ambassador. “It is fascinating – wherever we travel people from different countries seek out Roy to share an experience they had of watching one of his sides, or talking to him about a player he once would have managed, or a coach that he knew,” said Dyke.