Roy Hodgson to leave Crystal Palace at end of season

Crystal Palace have confirmed manager Roy Hodgson will step down from his position this summer, four years after taking charge of his boyhood club.

The 73-year-old joined Palace in September 2017 and quickly turned around the fortunes of a side who had lost their first four Premier League games. He led the Eagles to 11th in his first season, before recording the club's best-ever points tally of 49 in 2018/19.

He has continued to keep Palace in the Premier League ever since, but Hodgson confessed to the club's official website that he is now ready to take a step back from top-flight life.

“After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace," the boss said.

“It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace. I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.

“I have had so much support from my wife and family throughout my career and I have been contemplating this decision for some time, and now I believe the time is right to consider them and to see what the future holds for me."

Importantly, Hodgson has not retired from management at this point, but instead hopes to pursue a more low-profile job after a brief break from the game.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Palace, I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of professional and dedicated players, most of whom have been with me throughout the four years," he continued. "A manager is only as good as the players who perform on the pitch. I have been fortunate that those in my charge have certainly given me that and I thank them for it.

“I am sure I speak for all the players, my coaching staff and backroom team, when I say I am proud of the work we have done together to retain our Premier League status during this time.

“I would also like to thank our chairman Steve Parish, his partners David Blitzer and Josh Harris and sporting director Dougie Freedman for all their support over the years. They gave me an opportunity to return to my hometown club and I have always felt we were singing from the same hymn sheet in trying to achieve our joint goals. I can only wish them all the very best of luck for a successful future and I am convinced that the club will go from strength to strength.”

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