for him. But he'd better enjoy that rarity in football, a Christmas at home. If his prediction for the future of many of his peers is accurate - and there is every prospect that the culling will be even worse than he fears then his respite from the pressure game will be short. And Mr and Mrs Hodg-son will continue to keep up the cosy flat in Croydon, which they bought early in their marriage, just in case it is needed again... as a home to fall back on at some time in the increasingly hazardous future of football management. THE ROY HODGSON FILE Born: August 9, 1947 (Croydon). 1965: Fails to make the grade as player after Crystal Palace reject him. 1975: Works as a PE teacher in South Africa, coaching part-time. 1976: Malmo manager Bobby Houghton recommends Hodgson to Swedish club Halmstad. They win the championship in his first year as manager. 1980: Follows Houghton to England to become his assistant manager at Bristol City. 1982: Hodgson put in charge of City for 10 weeks after Houghton is sacked. Hodgson leaves for Malmo and leads them to five successive championships. 1992: After a successful spell with Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax, Hodgson is put in charge of the national team. He becomes a national hero by leading them to the 1994 World Cup Finals in the United States. 1995: Goes to Inter Milan for Pounds 600,000a-season. Inter finish third in Serie A and reach UEFA Cup Final but it