Roy Hodgson backs Gary Cahill’s claim about Crystal Palace pair being future managers

BY SAM SMITH

Roy Hodgson has backed up Gary Cahill’s claim that Crystal Palace teammates James McArthur and Scott Dann could go into management once their playing careers end.

Defender Cahill suggested that the long-serving Eagles pair could go into coaching in an interview with Premier League Productions earlier this week.

McArthur, 33, and Dann, 34, have made a combined 404 appearances for the South Londoners. Hodgson hopes both will go into management rather pursue other paths, but also reckons there are more players in the Palace squad who would make good coaches.

Asked if he agreed with Cahill, Hodgson said: “I’ve got nothing to say in opposition to that. I’d rather hope that when they finish their playing careers, which have still got some years to run, I’d be delighted to see them join us in the world of coaching and management, and take the tough route to staying in management, rather than the management-agent group which is sometimes a little less painful because you don’t lose any games. it’s the same with the punditry route.

“I’d be delighted for those two, if that’s what they want to do. I don’t think they will be the only ones, I’d like to think that there will be more than those two. But I haven’t given it any thought, so don’t ask me to come with further names because it’s not something that I occupy my time thinking about. When the day comes, I’m certain that I will be the first to drop them a line and congratulate them.”

McArthur has missed the last eight matches with a calf injury. Despite being absent, he is often heard bellowing encouragement from the stands.

Hodgson has commended the Scot for his involvement even when he is not playing. However, he has warned the midfielder that he must channel any frustration he feels over not playing if he wants a career in management.

He continued: “Any encouragement that a player can get while they are playing is a bonus. It is not just an advantage, but it is something that is very, very commendable.

“The thing for players like James McArthur – who is such a good professional, a good character – where they can really make a difference both in training and matches by the way they play… when you take that away and you put them on the sideline, they can’t play anymore and they are reliant on upon the message you have sent out with a group of players and they are reliant on that group of players doing what they should be doing.

“I just hope that he is going to be able to learn to deal with that frustration because I think he will find that frustrating if he goes into coaching.

“You can’t speak highly enough of a guy like James McArthur. Quite a few teams have got a guy of that type in their squad, but in all the squads I have had over the years, I have always valued people like James McArthur. Not only for [the personality] aspect but also for their ability.

“This is a man who brings his ability and brings what he can give to the team every week. This is the longest spell in my four years at the club that I can remember him being injured. It’s hurting him all the time. The medical staff have got to constantly put the reins on because he will be out there [on the training pitch] even if he is not fit enough to be out there.”