Official: Crystal Palace re-appoint Roy Hodgson until the end of the season

The Eagles are looking to soar clear of the relegation zone

Updated: July 05, 2023 at 5:36 am GMT+1

Crystal Palace have confirmed that Roy Hodgson has once again been appointed the Eagles boss until the end of the season, a week after the departure of Patrick Vieira in south London.

Palace have not won a game since the New Year’s Eve, when they beat relegation threatened Bournemouth 2-0. Despite this, they still sit 12th in the top flight, and will in all likelihood need no more than four wins from their last 10 games to survive in the top flight for next season.

Though they have much easier fixtures against fellow relegation candidates in the immediate future, chairman Steve Parish decided that Vieira was no longer the man for the job, and the Frenchman left Selhurst Park on Friday.

And, like Watford managed last season, Palace have lured Roy Hodgson out of retirement for yet another spell in the top flight, his second with the Eagles, in a bid to avoid relegation.

It will be the 75-year-old’s second spell in charge at Selhurst Park, having taken charge for nearly four years between 2017 and 2021, keeping Palace in the Premier League for all of that time.

Roy Hodgson has been appointed Crystal Palace manager until the end of the season.

Paddy McCarthy will take the role as his assistant manager, and Ray Lewington returns as first-team coach.

Dean Kiely remains in his position as goalkeeping coach.

Welcome back, Roy.#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 21, 2023

Hodgson told the club media that “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. 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.”

Meanwhile, Steve Parish added that “I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club. 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.”

Hodgson will become the oldest manager in Premier League history, breaking his own record set last season with Watford, though he ultimately could not prevent the hornets from being relegated.