Roy Hodgson teams up with Manchester City affiliate Melbourne City
Thursday 6 April 2017 17:26, UK
Former England boss Roy Hodgson has begun work as a consultant to Manchester City affiliate, Melbourne City.
Hodgson arrived at the club overnight and began working alongside interim head coach Michael Valkanis before watching a light training session from the sidelines.
The 69-year-old is there to work alongside Melbourne staff, as opposed to the playing group, for about a month as the A-League approaches the final stages of the season.
"He's working more with staff and more or less talking a lot of football between us. We're able to ask him whatever we require. He's a man with a wealth of experience that can help," Valkanis said in a delayed press conference on Thursday.
"He's here as a consultant and to help us coaches, so mentoring, and other staff. Players have already had a good chat to him as well in the canteen area."
Hodgson is likely to watch City play their penultimate round against Adelaide United from the stands at Melbourne's AAMI Park on Friday.
"That's why it's so good being part of this City group, and part of this club, having the opportunity to sit down today and speak to Roy Hodgson," Valkanis said.
"It's great when you are able to get two football people, or many football people together. What should have been a 10-minute conversation ended up being one hour [today]...We're very lucky to have him here."
Valkanis plans to sit down with Hodgson and speak more intently next week, with "lots" of things on the agenda.
"Some of the things I've thought of and jotted down [throughout the season] I want to speak to him about. I mentioned a few things today. After this game [against Adelaide], it's an important game for us, I can spend some time with him next week and ask him some questions.
"But like I said, he's very knowledgeable, a great story teller, he's fantastic to have around already, and he's only been here for two or three hours."
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