Less than a year into his second term as manager of Crystal Palace, Roy Hodgson announced his resignation on Monday.
The South London team is currently ranked 16th in the table, below expectations despite the former manager of Liverpool and England leading Palace to safety the previous season.
After consecutive defeats to Chelsea and Brighton & Hove Albion, the 76-year-old made his decision.
Hodgson’s 200th game in command of Palace ended in a 3-1 loss to Chelsea at Selhurst Park.
Read Also:Guardiola Says Man City Not Under Pressure To Win Title
“This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life,” Hodgson said in a statement, opens new tab on Palace’s website.
“I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top class players and staff doing what I love every day.
“However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer.”
During Palace’s 5-0 loss to Arsenal last month, supporters held up a banner that said, “Wasted Potential,” in an attempt to vent their resentment at Hodgson.
Weak decisions both on and off the pitch are moving us backwards
When the team lost 3-0 at Brighton and Hodgson substituted Michael Olise, the fans were even more incensed because he later suffered a hamstring injury.
From 2017 to 2021, Hodgson managed Palace for the first time. The club finished the league in 14th place at the end of his first tenure.
“Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten,” Chairman Steve Parish said.
“After four years in which he led the club to maintaining Premier League status season after season, he once again joined us nearly a year ago to steady the ship, and worked wonders.
“That he then agreed to continue in the summer speaks volumes about his commitment to our club. Quite simply, we owe our continued Premier League status to Roy.”
After falling ill during a training session last week, Hodgson—who has 48 years of experience managing 17 clubs and four national teams in Europe and Asia—had tests at the hospital.
According to the club, he is doing well and has left the hospital.
Oliver Glasner, the former manager of Eintracht Frankfurt, has reportedly been connected to the Palace position.
On Monday, Palace will play Everton, with Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy, Hodgson’s assistant coaches, in control.