Unhappy Hodgson returns to England
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (Reuters) -- United Arab Emirates coach Roy Hodgson returned home to England on Thursday after being sacked.
"I did my work honestly and sincerely and have nothing to regret," said the Briton, who was held responsible for the UAE's dismal showing in the recent Gulf Cup in Kuwait.
"We played six matches (in Kuwait) and I wasn't happy about the outcome," said Hodgson, who signed a $1 million contract in 2002 to take the UAE job for two years.
"There were some players who really disappointed me. I don't know what had happened to them.
"However, this was the right time for them (UAE Football Association) to take the decision because the new coach must have enough time to prepare for the World Cup qualifying rounds and the Asia Cup finals later this year."
The former coach of Switzerland, Inter Milan and Blackburn Rovers, denied reports that he was set to take over as Tottenham Hotspur manager.
"It's all rubbish. I haven't decided about my future plans as yet," Hodgson was quoted as saying by local media.
Hodgson, who guided the UAE to the Asia Cup finals, was unhappy about the way he was sacked.
"I didn't expect them to leak the news to the media before conveying it to me," he said. "I have been working with them for the last 21 months and I was supposed to be the first to know about the decision.
"Unfortunately, when asked the officials denied it, saying the journalists were lying."
