Roy Hodgson to ‘remain as Crystal Palace manager for another year’

Roy Hodgson is set to stay as Crystal Palace manager for another season after a verbal agreement was reached with the veteran coach, according to Sky Sports.

The 75-year-old replaced Patrick Vieira in March after the Frenchman was sacked by the club as he returned to Selhurst Park just under two years after he initially left.

The former England boss made a stunning impact during the final months of the season, winning five of his 10 games as the Eagles finished 11th.

Palace bosses reportedly considered various longer-term options for the role, but the success of Hodgson’s return to the club convinced the hierarchy to stick with him.

He is also extremely popular with the players and helped to inspire stars such as Eberechi Eze – who added six goal contributions in 10 matches – to earn a call-up to the England squad. 

Roy Hodgson is set to stay as Crystal Palace for another season after reaching an agreement

Hodgson had a stunning impact upon his return to the club, winning five of his 10 games 

Palace played a highly-entertaining style of football in the process and ended up in 11th place

This popularity among the club’s stars was crucial in Hodgson remaining with his boyhood club.

The deal is yet to be fully signed off but the formalities of the contract are set to be sorted in the near future ahead of the first team squad returning for pre-season training ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

In total, Hodgson won five, drew three and only lost two of his 10 matches in charge as he turned around the fortunes of a side who were on a 12-game winless streak.

The Englishman previously spent nearly four years with Palace between September 2017 and May 2021.

During his time in charge, he guided the Eagles to 11th, 12th 14th and 14th placed finishes, before departing at the end of his contract to be replaced by Vieira.

Hodgson’s managerial career has now spanned 47 years after his first role with Swedish side Halmstads BK all the way back in 1976. 

During his initial spell at Selhurst Park, the veteran won 54 of his 162 games in charge of the club, with an average points-per-game of 1.22 and a win percentage of 33.3.

His time in the dugout has also encompassed spells in charge of Inter Milan, Switzerland, Blackburn, Udinese, Fulham, Liverpool, West Brom and England. 

He also helped to take Eberechi Eze to new levels, with the midfielder called up by England

Palace bosses (pictured – chairman Steve Parish) reportedly considered longer-term options for the role, but the success of Hodgson’s return and his popularity were deciding factors 

After departing from Palace in May 2021, it was widely thought Hodgson would retire from the dugout, but he took over at Watford last January.

However, he was unable to help the Hornets avoid relegation, winning just two of his 18 games in charge and losing 13 before he triumphantly returned to Palace.

Speaking at the end of last season, the 75-year-old remained tight-lipped when asked about whether he would stay at the club.

He said: ‘My situation is very simple: I took on a job, I was pleased to take on the job.

‘The mandate was a simple one – to come in and help the team to get the number of points we need to stay in the league. That’s what I’ve done and what I’ve enjoyed doing.

‘I’m not prepared to make any comment like that. Before I start talking about whether I want to stay anywhere or take on any jobs, someone better offer me one.’

Palace star Eze – when speaking on international duty earlier this month – hinted he wanted Hodgson to remain and hailed him for his impact on the team.

The attacking midfielder said: ‘I am very grateful to Roy for all he did in helping me regain form. He helped me massively with my mental state too.

‘He advises me all the time, he has insane wisdom. You can see from what he did coming back how effective he (Hodgson) was. 

‘The influence he had on the players, the mindset and freedom we played with. That is something we hadn’t had for a while.’