THE man doing the same job England manager Roy Hodgson did when he lived in Croydon wants his predecessor's new role – but admitted he is probably better at Championship Manager.
Hodgson used to teach PE at Monks Hill High School in the 1970s and the man in his job now at its successor Quest Academy, in Farnborough Avenue, Selsdon, has spoken of his admiration for the England coach.
Richard Houghton, the assistant principal and PE teacher at Quest, said Hodgson was an inspiration to the students.
He said: "What Roy has shown is what you can do with a little bit of talent and determination and he is a role model for what you can become.
"He has a very, very interesting story which we have shared with the students and we are all hoping they are successful in the tournament.
"We have a very talented team and you never know what might happen in the tournament.
"It would be fantastic if Roy could visit the school after the tournament with the World Cup in tow. Because he's from the area, Roy's story has helped the students aspire to success because they see he's like them."
Hodgson cut his teeth coaching pupils at Monks Hill after growing up in Croydon – and even taught English at the school before moving to Sweden to start his near-40 year career in management.
Mr Houghton coaches football at the school, which also produced former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha, and shares the same initials as the former Fulham, Inter Milan, Liverpool and West Brom boss.
And as Hodgson heads off to the second World Cup of his career, Mr Houghton admitted a secret ambition of his own.
"There is a nice symmetry between me and Roy; we've trodden the same paths. My kit and shorts have the same coding, we both have the same initials," he added.
"I'm a little bit further along in my career so I think my chance has gone.
"But, who knows, I'd like to think I might be the next England manager. I'm quite proficient at Championship Manager."
Ramzi Musallam, who was taught by Hodgson at John Ruskin, has fond memories of the England boss.
After Hodgson was named England boss in 2012, Ramzi told the Advertiser: "When I tell people that Roy Hodgson was my teacher, people think I'm making it up.
"It's amazing to see how far he's come since he coached the school's football team.
"Even then everyone wanted to play for him. He was a really intelligent, charismatic guy who knew how to motivate you."
