Roy Hodgson paid a classy tribute to Patrick Vieira following Crystal Palace’s draw with Nottingham Forest on the final day of the Premier League season.
The Eagles came from behind to send supporters home from Selhurst Park with something to shout about after Taiwo Awoniyi had given the visitors the lead, with Will Hughes seeing his flick-on deflected past ex-Palace goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
A point means Palace finish 12th, the position Vieira left them in but Hodgson’s work cannot be understated.
Prior to his return to his boyhood club, the mood music around the club was negative and few would doubt the team were on the slide.
Still, the former England coach ensured Vieira was given his fair share of the credit.
“I must also say that it’s not been my work alone,” he told Sky Sports.
“Patrick Vieira deserves credit as well because he started this season off and he won games and got points for the team as well. Between the two of us, I think we’ve put the club once again in the position it wants to be in.
“I think the future for the team and the club looks very bright.”
Hodgson yielded an immediate improvement out of the squad and, such has been his impact, is set for talks with chairman Steve Parish over his future.
“As far as I’m concerned I had a contract to do a job here and I’ve done that,” he added.
“I shall now go back to where I was before the phone call and I shall see what the future holds for me.”
