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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Ed Aarons

Roy Hodgson expected to step down as Crystal Palace wait to appoint Glasner

Roy Hodgson pictured at Crystal Palace game against Chelsea on Monday.
Roy Hodgson pictured at Crystal Palace game against Chelsea on Monday. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

Roy Hodgson is expected to step down as Crystal Palace manager after being taken to hospital on Thursday, with Oliver Glasner ready to succeed him.

The 76-year-old required medical treatment after feeling unwell during a training session and underwent tests in hospital after Palace were forced to cancel a press conference.

It is understood Hodgson remains in a stable condition but has been ruled out of Palace’s game at Everton on Monday, with his assistants Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy likely to prepare the players.

Palace, whose chairman, Steve Parish, accompanied Hodgson to hospital, are expected to confirm that Hodgson will stand down from his post for the last four months of his contract and be replaced by Glasner.

There is a possibility Glasner will be appointed before Monday’s game, although the 49-year-old, who managed Eintracht Frankfurt to their Europa League triumph in 2022, is unlikely to take charge at Everton.

Glasner emerged as Parish’s ­preferred candidate to replace Hodgson after the former England manager’s position came under intense ­scrutiny after the defeat by ­Chelsea on Monday night. It is understood Parish decided a change was needed after a run of four wins in 18 league games dragged the club into a relegation battle.

An attempt to persuade Kieran McKenna to leave Ipswich failed but Glasner – who was trumpeted by Palace’s biggest shareholder, John Textor, after the American tried to appoint him to replace Laurent Blanc at Lyon, another of his clubs – was always a viable option given that he has been out of work since leaving Frankfurt at the end of last season. He has agreed a contract worth about £4.5m a season until 2026, with the option of a further year.

It is not the first time this season that Hodgson’s health has suffered. In September, the 76-year-old – the Premier League’s oldest-ever manager – missed ­Palace’s match at Aston Villa after being taken to hospital on the ­morning of the game.

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