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Roy Hodgson speaks on his decision to step down as Crystal Palace manager

Roy Hodgson speaks on his decision to step down as Crystal Palace manager, with the club confirming his departure on Monday.

Oliver Glasner has reportedly been appointed as the new head coach after Palace chiefs had contacted Glasner for approximately three months, having initially considered him as a potential replacement for Hodgson at the end of the season.

However, due to a concerning series of results and Hodgson’s recent health scare during a training session, these plans have been expedited.

Chairman Steve Parish held final discussions with Glasner on Friday evening, and the Austrian will assume his new role at Selhurst Park after tonight’s match against Everton.

Hodgson, 76, leaves Palace amidst significant dissatisfaction among supporters, as the club currently sits in 16th place in the Premier League, just five points above the relegation zone.

‘Unfortunately, today’s press conference will no longer take place as scheduled as Roy Hodgson was taken ill during this morning’s training session,’ read a statement last Thursday.

Players and staff were said to be visibly concerned by the incident but Hodgson is understood to have recovered.

A later statement read: ‘Following news that Roy Hodgson was taken ill during today’s training session, we can confirm that he is now stable and is currently undergoing tests in hospital.

‘Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery.’

Hodgson’s successor, Glasner, now bids to hit ground running trying to guide Palace to safety, and his first match will be a home game against Burnley on Saturday.

The likes of Steve Cooper, Julen Lopetegui and Kieran McKenna had all high on the club’s list, but it’s Glasner, who has previously managed in Austria and Germany, thats got the job, after he led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, before leaving last summer after two years at the helm.

CLUB STATEMENT:

Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Roy Hodgson has stepped down from his post as first-team manager.

Roy Hodgson said: “This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life. I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top class players and staff doing what I love every day.

“However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer.

“I would like to thank Steve Parish and his American partners for their support, along with my coaching staff and backroom team who have helped me so much along the way. In particular, a huge thank you to my long-term friend and assistant, Ray Lewington; coaches Dean Kiely and Paddy McCarthy; plus the excellent sports science, video analysis and medical departments.

“My thanks and respect also to the current squad of players who have been a pleasure to work with – they are a credit to the club and themselves. I am certain that our fans will continue to give their full support to the team for the remainder of this season and beyond.

“I am confident that the season will finish well and I wish the team every success in the weeks, months and seasons to come.”

The Club would like to thank Roy for his outstanding service, in which he managed 200 games across six seasons.

Chairman Steve Parish said: “Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten. After four years in which he led the club to maintaining Premier League status season after season, he once again joined us nearly a year ago to steady the ship, and worked wonders. That he then agreed to continue in the summer speaks volumes about his commitment to our club. Quite simply, we owe our continued Premier League status to Roy.

“I would like to thank Roy enormously for his service and wish him the very best for the future; it’s fair to say Roy has the keys to Selhurst Park and will always be welcomed back.

“On a personal note I would also like to thank Roy for his support, his professionalism and his friendship. He’s been the manager for half of the time we’ve been in the Premier League, I’ve enjoyed working with him and learning from him immensely.”

The club can confirm that Roy is now out of hospital and doing well.

Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington will lead the team tonight for the match versus Everton at Goodison Park.

Crystal Palace F.C. are pleased to confirm the appointment of Oliver Glasner as manager.

The 49-year-old Austrian has signed a deal to become the Eagles’ boss until the end of the 2025/2026 season.

Most recently, Glasner managed Eintracht Frankfurt to historic success winning the 2021/22 UEFA Europa League, the club’s first continental trophy in more than 40 years. This was achieved in Glasner’s first season in charge of Die Adler (‘the Eagles’).

That campaign saw Glasner’s team go unbeaten in Europe, eliminating Barcelona at the Camp Nou along the way. The following year, Frankfurt went on to reach a German Cup final and the Champions League last 16, and once again qualified for Europe for the following season.

Glasner previously managed Austrian teams SV Ried, where he made more than 550 appearances and won two cups as a player; as well as LASK, whom he guided from the second tier to European qualification in just three seasons, before earning a place in the Champions League qualifiers in his fourth.

The Austrian also won plaudits for his two seasons at VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga, earning the third-highest points total in the club’s history and securing Champions League qualification with a top-four finish.

Chairman Steve Parish said: “I’m delighted to welcome Oliver to the club. He has an outstanding record, and we believe he is the right manager to take the club forward at this pivotal stage.

“Wherever Oliver has gone so far in his managerial journey, success has been quick to follow, and we believe his ambition, as well as his exciting and attacking approach, is the perfect fit for getting the most from our talented young squad in the remainder of this Premier League season and beyond.”

Oliver Glasner said: “I am very happy to join Crystal Palace F.C. as manager. I am looking forward to working with the talented squad, meeting the club’s supporters and experiencing the Selhurst Park atmosphere I have heard so much about. It has been a pleasure to meet with Steve and Dougie, and I am looking forward to working with them to achieve our goals.”

Oliver’s coaching staff will be confirmed in due course.

Crystal Palace F.C. would like to thank The Football Association for their prompt assistance in providing the relevant Governing Body Endorsements, and to the Home Office for processing the applications so efficiently.

Twitter users reacted as Roy Hodgson speaks on his decision to step down as Crystal Palace manager…

@GeorgeCPFC_: There’s only 1 Roy Hodgson ❤️💙

@BearCPFC: Cheers Roy, lovely words. Good luck in retirement and rest up. Onwards now ❤️💙

@BrakePaul: Wishing you a healthy and happy retirement, Roy.. thanks for the memories and all you did for this club.. one of our own! ❤️💙 #CPFC

@GilesyL14: I genuinely hope that Roy can now go & enjoy his retirement. His legacy with us will remain intact – he wasn’t the right appointment last summer & the board didn’t help him one bit that window. But hopefully it’s onwards & upwards for all parties. & Glasner takes us forward #cpfc

@TomDutty:  Glad Roy is on the mend. Let’s pinky promise to leave it there this time. Don’t need to be doing this all again in three years.

@Wheddsta: It’s a shame it ended the way it did, but thank you for the good times Roy. Took the job on when no one else wanted it, provided us with some great memories. Forever Palace. ❤️💙 Just hope he retires for good now, for his own benefit. Should be on a beach somewhere in the sun.

@mikey_dash79: I’m remember when we were winning against Brentford & the Holmesdale end was jumping, Roy was watching it all…soaking it in. I hate that it ended this way but it was not meant to be. Thanks for everything, a club legend #cpfc

@brayash24:  One of the best managers this country has ever produced and a class act. Shame it’s ended like this. Disgraceful the way he’s been treated in the last month or so by some delusional fans

@louietidy_05: Let’s get a win for Glasner tonight, show him what we are about 💪🏻 Also thanks for everything Roy. #CPFC

@JSB93x: Firstly, I am glad to hear roy is better. Secondly, thank you Roy, for everything. Things have not gone how we wanted this season, but the board let you down. Thirdly, roll the fuck on Glasner and lets move forwards, united as a club. #CPFC

@lw_31_: Fair play to Roy, will always have his back and so much respect for that man. Enjoy your time resting and recovering Roy. #cpfc

@NYEagles: Very glad to hear Roy is out of the hospital and resting at the end of the statement. A new chapter awaits Palace and Roy. I hope what lies ahead for both parties is as joyous as the post match lap around Selhurst last May, with supporters, squad, manager united in harmony. #CPFC

@SelhurstCPFC: All the best Roy and we wish you good health! Thanks for the memories, you’ll always be Palace. It was just time for change unfortunately ❤️💙

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