Hodgson, who is 75 years old, returns to the club for a second stint after Patrick Vieira was sacked last week following a run of 12 games without a win.
Palace are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League
Crystal Palace Football Club has reappointed Roy Hodgson as its manager until the end of the season. Hodgson, who is 75 years old, returns to the club for a second stint after Patrick Vieira was sacked last week following a run of 12 games without a win. Palace are currently fighting for survival in the Premier League, sitting just three points above the relegation zone with ten games left to play. Hodgson expressed his delight at being asked to return to the club, which he considers to be his boyhood team. He stated that it is a privilege to be given the critical task of turning the team’s fortunes around. The former England manager also clarified that his main objective is to start winning matches and secure the points necessary to ensure the team’s Premier League status.
Palace’s next game is against Leicester City at home, which will take place on April 1, after the international break. Hodgson has been appointed despite stating last May, when he was coming towards the end of a short spell in charge of Watford, that he did not think he would put his name forward for any further stories in the world of Premier League football. Paddy McCarthy, who took caretaker charge of the Eagles’ 4-1 defeat at Arsenal on Sunday, will be Hodgson’s assistant manager, while Ray Lewington returns as the first-team coach. Dean Kiely will continue as Palace goalkeeping coach.
Roy is the right person to get Palace out of trouble
Chairman Steve Parish welcomed Hodgson and Lewington back to the club, stating that they believe their experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy, can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping Palace in the league. A Crystal Palace striker, Clinton Morrison, expressed his disappointment over Patrick Vieira’s departure. He also stated that Hodgson’s experience and affinity with the club make him the right man for the job. Morrison further added that Palace wanted a change, but only some fans would be happy because the club wants to evolve, which they have done over the last couple of years. However, they are currently in trouble, and the club believes that Hodgson is the right person to get them out of that. Morrison wished Hodgson well and hoped that he could keep Palace in the Premier League.
The head coach can lead the Eagles to safety
According to Morrison, Hodgson’s appointment would always be the likely outcome, given his experience with the club, his close relationship with the chairman and the people, and his proven track record in helping the team to stay up. Although Hodgson’s last job at Watford did not work out for him, he probably feels that this job was too good to turn down. The team’s current form could look better, and Hodgson certainly has his work cut out for him. Nonetheless, it would be fantastic if he manages to keep Palace in the Premier League, given their current run of poor form and lack of confidence.
In conclusion, Hodgson’s reappointment as Crystal Palace’s manager until the end of the season has garnered mixed reactions from fans and experts alike. Nonetheless, given his experience with the club and his track record in helping teams to stay up, he certainly has the potential to turn the team’s fortunes around and secure their Premier League status for the upcoming season. We will have to wait and see how things unfold in the coming weeks and whether Hodgson can lead the Eagles to safety.