'Something to admire' - Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa on prospect of managing at Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson's age

MARCELO Bielsa says Roy Hodgson's managerial career is to be admired and cannot say himself if he will still be managing at 73 years old.
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The Premier League's two oldest managers will come face to face for the second time on Monday evening as 65-year-old Bielsa's Leeds take on 73-year-old Hodgson's Crystal Palace at Elland Road.

Hodgson is in his 22nd job in management and will turn 74 in August but the Palace boss says he has not yet reached the day where he feels it would be best to call time on his career.

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Bielsa, who will turn 66 in July, is eight years younger than his Eagles counterpart and in his 12th job in management having been appointed as United's head coach in June 2018.

ELDER STATESMEN: Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, right, and Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, far left, as the pair met for the first time at Selhurst Park back in November. Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.ELDER STATESMEN: Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, right, and Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, far left, as the pair met for the first time at Selhurst Park back in November. Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.
ELDER STATESMEN: Leeds United head coach Marcelo Bielsa, right, and Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson, far left, as the pair met for the first time at Selhurst Park back in November. Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images.

Asked if he could see himself still managing at Hodgson's age and opening up on his respect for the Eagles boss, Bielsa said: "It’s very difficult to predict or calculate what’s going to happen in eight years’ time.

"The career of Roy Hodgson only deserves praise, recognition. To have the desire to extend his career so long is something to admire. Not only to do it, but to do it well."

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