Roy Hodgson to step down as Crystal Palace manager

Crystal Palace have confirmed that manager Roy Hodgson will step down from his role at the end of the season.

Hodgson, a boyhood Palace fan, has managed the Eagles for the last four years but his contract expires at the end of the campaign and the 73-year-old has decided to part ways with the club.

The former England boss moved to Selhurst Park in 2017 and has worked on a tight budget to keep the Eagles in the Premier League.

‘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, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace,’ said Hodgson.

‘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. I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.

‘I have had so much support from my wife and family throughout my career and I have been contemplating this decision for some time, and now I believe the time is right to consider them and to see what the future holds for me.

‘I have really enjoyed my time at Palace, I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of professional and dedicated players, most of whom have been with me throughout the four years. A manager is only as good as the players who perform on the pitch. I have been fortunate that those in my charge have certainly given me that and I thank them for it. I am sure I speak for all the players, my coaching staff and backroom team, when I say I am proud of the work we have done together to retain our Premier League status during this time.

‘I would also like to thank our chairman Steve Parish, his partners David Blitzer and Josh Harris and sporting director Dougie Freedman for all their support over the years. They gave me an opportunity to return to my hometown club and I have always felt we were singing from the same hymn sheet in trying to achieve our joint goals. I can only wish them all the very best of luck for a successful future and I am convinced that the club will go from strength to strength.’

Frank Lampard is the current favourite to replace Hodgson in south-west London, with the 42-year-old keen on returning to management after his sacking from Chelsea.

Hodgson’s final game at Selhurst Park comes on Wednesday night against Arsenal, with the club set to welcome supporters back to the stadium for the first time since December.

The Croydon-born boss will then manage the Eagles for the final time against former club Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

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