Roy Hodgson has resigned from his position as manager of Crystal Palace, paving the way for the club to appoint a new manager. The 76-year-old fell ill during training on Thursday amidst rumors of his impending dismissal. Crystal Palace, currently 16th in the Premier League, has lost 10 of their last 16 games.
Hodgson expressed his love for the club and stated that he understood the need for the club to plan ahead, leading to his decision to step down. His assistants, Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington, will take over the team for their upcoming match against Everton on Monday night.
Oliver Glasner, former Eintracht Frankfurt boss, is reportedly the top contender to replace Hodgson. The club confirmed that Hodgson is now out of hospital and doing well. Chairman Steve Parish thanked Hodgson for his service and credited him with maintaining the club’s Premier League status.
Hodgson was in his second term as Palace manager, having returned last season to replace Patrick Vieira. His decision to substitute midfielder Eberechi Eze and his handling of injured winger Michael Olise have drawn criticism. Fans have also protested against the club’s management during recent games.
Despite a 4-1 loss to Roberto de Zerbi’s side, Hodgson remained confident in his ability to improve the team’s performance. Glasner, who won the Europa League with Frankfurt in 2022, left Frankfurt at the end of last season after a 10-match winless streak in the Bundesliga.
Hodgson’s managerial career began in 1976 with Swedish side Halmstad. Over his 48-year career, he has managed 18 clubs and four international teams, winning 15 major honours. His first international role was with Switzerland in 1992 before stints with the United Arab Emirates and Finland. He led England at three major tournaments but failed to secure a trophy. After leaving Palace in 2021, he briefly managed Watford but was unable to keep them in the Premier League.
