Crystal Palace have re-appointed Roy Hodgson as manager on a short-term contract until end of season.
Hodgson previously managed Palace between September 2017 – May 2021, Hodgson now returns to Selhurst Park with the simple task of preserving the club’s Premier League status after their failure to win a single match in all competitions in 2023.
That form consequently led to Patrick Vieira’s departure and after a 4-1 league loss at Arsenal last Sunday (19 March), Palace Chairman, Steve Parish has turned to Hodgson to reinstall stability with his top-flight expertise.
Speaking about his decision to accept Parish’s short-term contract offer, Hodgson commented: “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.”
Despite their failure to win any of 13 matches in all competitions since the turn of New Year, Palace still sit 12th which fills Hodgson with confidence of “winning matches,” in order to achieve their “sole objective” of top-flight survival.
Hodgson’s first match back in charge sees Palace host Leicester in a crunch showdown at Selhurst Park on 1 April at 3pm BST, with the 75 year-old calling for his players to show “fighting spirit,” alongside supporters across the run-in.
Parish added that Hodgson will be joined by Ray Lewington again as first-team coach with Paddy McCarthy stepping up from Under-21s to become assistant coach, whilst Darren Powell will take up Head Coach duties of the Under-21s squad.
Explaining the decision to re-appoint Hodgson almost two years after the veteran manager opted to step down, Paris said: “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.”
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