Claude Puel has described Roy Hodgson as “fantastic”, as the Crystal Palace manager becomes the oldest Premier League’s manager in history.
Hodgson will be 71 years and 199 old when Palace visit Leicester City on Saturday evening.
That usurps the original record set by Bobby Robson during his last game as Newcastle United boss, when he was 71 years and 191 days.
It is a special moment for Hodgson, as he aims to steer Palace clear of relegation between now and the end of the season.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Saturday’s clash at the King Power Stadium, Puel lauded his opposite number’s achievement:
It is fantastic. I don’t know if I would like to manage a club at this age.
He has a long career and is a nice man, a great manager.
He has done fantastic things and congratulations for his career and for the man he is.
While Hodgson will no doubt feel proud, the focus will be on picking up a positive result at the King Power.
The Eagles are currently three points clear of the relegation zone, so there is still plenty of work to be done.
Victory would go a long way to securing survival for another year.
