ROY HODGSON has revealed that he lost “five or six kilos” while out of work.
The veteran boss, 78, made a surprise return to the dugout this week as he took the Bristol City job.
Hodgson replaced sacked Gerhard Struber at Ashton Gate, marking his return to management following more than two years out of the game.
The former England manager stepped down at Crystal Palace in February 2024 after collapsing during a training session.
During his unveiling as Bristol City boss, Hodgson made assurances over his health, claiming that he is: “Probably fitter now than I was when I left Crystal Palace.”
On his fitness regime, he added: “I’m lighter, about five or six kilos lighter, for a start.
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“I’ve done a lot of work, having time on my hands – I’ve got a gym in our apartment, so I’ve done a lot of walking.”
Asked about what happened during his final Palace training session, Hodgson revealed: “I watched for another few minutes, then said, ‘No, I’ve got to go in, I don’t feel good’ – then I collapsed.
“Suddenly, you’ve got a load of people around you, the doctors come flying out. They made it feel like it isn’t good.
“They put me in the best clinic in London, a day and a half, every single test you’ve ever had, the most vigorous cardiac testing I’ve ever had. But the good thing is it was OK.”
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Hodgson has taken charge of Bristol City with the Robins winless in six.
He will oversee their last seven matches of the season, but has ruled out carrying on into next term.
Asked about the possibility, Hodgson smirked as he said: “No… I’m too old.”
The experienced operator returns to Ashton Gate 44 years after his last spell as Bristol City manager.
He’ll hope to perform better this time around, having won just three of his 21 matches in at the helm in 1982, in what was just the second of his 24 jobs in management.
Hodgson will kick off his return with a trip to Charlton on Friday.