A local hero calls it a day
Crystal Palace have confirmed Roy Hodgson will step down as manager at the end of this season.
Hodgson took over as Palace manager in the autumn of 2017 after the Eagles had suffered four straight losses without scoring under Frank De Boer. In the 2017/18 campaign, Hodgson steered Palace to safety, and has kept them in the Premier League every year since.
But speculation around his future has pervaded all conversations about Palace in recent months, with a huge summer in store for the south London club.
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As Hodgson's contract ran down, so did 16 of the current squad's deals, including those of Andros Townsend, Christian Benteke, Gary Cahill and Jeffrey Schlupp.
Whoever chairman Steve Parish brings in next will have a huge job on their hands, refreshing a squad and - hopefully for fans - installing a new, more exciting brand of football on the pitch.
Palace confirmed that Hodgson's assistant Ray Lewington will also leave at the end of the season.
Reflecting on his time at Palace, Hodgson said: "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.
"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.
"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. 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."
Steve Parish added: "It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work alongside Roy, who is both a magnificent human and an outstanding football manager. I know how much it has meant to Roy managing the club he supported as a child, adding to his distinguished and unparalleled career in football management.
"His record with us simply cannot be overstated, he is the only Palace manager to secure four years in the Premier League and he has helped give us stability in the most turbulent of times. We will be forever grateful for his immense contribution and I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to show our appreciation at Selhurst Park after the Arsenal match, alongside 6,500 supporters."
"Roy will leave us after our final Premier League match of the season with our enormous thanks for his incredible contribution to our club, and with our very best wishes for the future."
