Roy Hodgson Steps Down as Crystal Palace Boss, Club Seeks New Manager

Roy Hodgson, the former manager of Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool, West Brom, and Watford in the Premier League, has stepped down as Crystal Palace boss. The decision was made to allow the club to expedite their plans to appoint a new manager. Hodgson, 76, fell ill during training on Thursday, leading to speculation that he would be sacked. Crystal Palace has struggled in recent games, losing 10 out of their last 16 Premier League matches and currently sitting in 16th place, just five points above the relegation zone. Hodgson expressed his affection for the club and stated that he has enjoyed his time working with top-class players and staff. He acknowledged the need for the club to plan ahead and made the decision to step aside. The club has not yet announced a replacement, but Oliver Glasner, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss, is the frontrunner for the position. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish praised Hodgson for his service and credited him with the club's continued Premier League status. Hodgson's departure comes after his second stint in charge of the club, during which he led them to an 11th-place finish last season. Despite criticism of his decisions regarding player substitutions and handling of injuries, Hodgson remained confident in his ability to turn the team's poor form around. Glasner, known for his success with Frankfurt, is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team. Hodgson's managerial career spans 48 years and includes 18 club sides and four international teams. He has won 15 major honors, including two Swedish titles with Malmo and reaching the finals of the UEFA Cup and Europa League with Inter Milan and Fulham, respectively. Although he was unable to secure a trophy for England during his tenure as the national team's manager, he led them to three major tournaments. After leaving Palace in 2021, Hodgson joined Watford but was unable to prevent their relegation from the Premier League. Despite his departure from Crystal Palace, Hodgson has not announced his retirement from football and has expressed his openness to future opportunities in the sport.