Roy Hodgson has made a remarkable return to Crystal Palace, answering the club’s S.O.S. call as they look to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Hodgson spent almost four years in charge of Palace before leaving the club in the summer of 2021, but has agreed to return to the Selhurst Park dugout following Patrick Vieira’s sacking last week.
The 75-year-old will take charge until the end of the season as the Eagles seek to secure their top-flight status.
“It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around,” Hodgson said. "Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.
“Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit, and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us, beginning with the visit of Leicester City a week Saturday.”
Sunday’s 4-1 thrashing at Arsenal means the south Londonders have gone 12 League games without a win since beating Bournemouth on New Year’s Eve, a dismal run which prompted chairman Steve Parish to send Vieira packing despite the Frenchman’s encouraging first season in charge last term.
Palace remain 12th in the table, but are just four points off the bottom and several of the teams below them have the benefit of games in hand.
Paddy McCarthy, the U21s boss who took temporary charge for the defeat at the Emirates, has been named as Hodgson’s assistant, but the former England boss’ long-time No2 Ray Lewington has also re-joined the club as a first-team coach.
"I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club,” Parish added. “We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”
