Crystal Palace has reappointed former England manager Roy Hodgson as their boss until the end of the season. This comes after Patrick Vieira, who replaced Hodgson in July 2021, was sacked due to a 12-match winless streak in all competitions.
Hodgson, who managed Watford from January to May 2022, said he didn’t expect to take another Premier League managerial job after his departure from Watford. However, he expressed his delight at returning to Crystal Palace, a club that has always meant so much to him.
Hodgson’s immediate goal is to win matches and secure the points required to ensure their Premier League status.
Ray Lewington has also returned to Palace as first-team coach, with Paddy McCarthy named assistant manager.
Palace chairman Steve Parish welcomed Hodgson and Lewington back to the club and believes their experience, knowledge of the club, and players, alongside Paddy, can help them fulfill the immediate requirement of staying in the league.
Palace currently sits in 12th place in the Premier League, just three points above the relegation zone following their defeat at the Emirates Stadium. Hodgson’s first game in charge during his second spell will be at home against Leicester on April 1.
Hodgson’s managerial career spans over 45 years and includes stints at Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool, West Brom, and Palace. He has also led the national sides of Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and Finland.
Hodgson has managed six clubs in the Premier League, taking charge of 382 games, and holds the record for being the competition’s oldest manager.
He led England from 2012 to 2016, but they failed to qualify from their group at the 2014 World Cup and Hodgson resigned after a shock 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the last 16 of Euro 2016.