Hodgson to step down as Palace coach at the end of the season
- 18 May 2021
Roy Hodgson is to step down as Crystal Palace manager at the end of the season, the club announced on Tuesday.
The 73-year-old will bring the curtain down on his four-year spell at his boyhood club against one of his former sides, Liverpool, on Sunday.
The former England manager’s contract was due to expire in the close season after another campaign in which he maintained Palace’s Premier League status.
“After more than 45 years of coaching, I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football,” Hodgson said in a statement.
“So our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace. It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace.”
Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has been mentioned in the media as a potential replacement for Hodgson at Palace.
Palace fans will recall Hodgson’s first season in charge with particular affection.
He was appointed early in the 2017-18 campaign, Palace were pointless and had failed to score during their opening four league games after a disastrous start to life under Frank De Boer.
The former Inter Milan and Switzerland manager looked to have an insurmountable task when the Eagles lost their first three games under him.
However, he engineered an astonishing revival which saw them preserve their elite status, eventually finishing 11th in the table.
It was the first time in Premier League history a team had stayed up in the top flight after losing their first seven games (itself a Premier League record).
They are presently enjoying their longest consecutive spell in the top flight -- they have been in the EPL since the 2013/14 season.
“It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work alongside Roy, who is both a magnificent human and an outstanding football manager,” said Palace chairman Steve Parrish.
“I know how much it has meant to Roy managing the club he supported as a child. His record with us simply cannot be overstated, he is the only Palace manager to secure four years in the Premier League and he has helped give us stability in the most turbulent of times.”
Hodgson is a much respected coach despite low points with Liverpool and ultimately England.
Agence France-Presse
