Crystal Palace Manager, Roy Hodgson, Falls Ill during Training
Crystal Palace manager, Roy Hodgson, has suffered a setback as he fell ill during Thursday morning’s training session. This unfortunate turn of events has raised concerns about his health, especially considering that this is not the first time it has happened this season. In September, Hodgson was unable to attend Palace’s match against Aston Villa due to illness. On that occasion, assistant manager Paddy McCarthy took charge of the team alongside coach Ray Lewington.
The timing of Hodgson’s illness is particularly unfortunate as it has led to the cancellation of the pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s Premier League fixture against Everton. The press conference was scheduled to take place at 1:30pm, but Palace announced just before 1pm (GMT) that it had been called off. This cancellation adds to the uncertainty surrounding Hodgson’s future at the club.
Speculation about Hodgson’s position as manager has been circulating for weeks, with reports suggesting that Crystal Palace is considering parting ways with him. The Athletic has even named Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Oliver Glasner as the potential replacement for Hodgson. This uncertainty may be contributing to the team’s recent struggles on the pitch.
Crystal Palace started the season reasonably well, collecting seven points from their opening four games. However, their form has dipped since September, with only three wins recorded since then. The team’s FA Cup campaign ended in disappointment in the third round, where they were knocked out by none other than Everton, their upcoming Premier League opponent.
In their most recent match, Crystal Palace suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Chelsea. This loss was their fourth in five games, highlighting the team’s current struggles. The situation reached a boiling point during a humiliating 4-1 defeat to arch-rivals Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex stadium. Some sections of the away support called for both Hodgson and chairman Steve Parish to step down from their roles at the club.
This is Hodgson’s second spell as manager at Crystal Palace. He was re-appointed in March 2023 on a short-term contract after the sacking of Patrick Vieira. Hodgson successfully steered the team away from the relegation zone, securing five wins and three draws from 10 games to finish 11 points above danger. His efforts earned him a one-year contract extension last summer.
Prior to his return to Crystal Palace, Hodgson spent four years in charge of the club from 2017 to 2021. After leaving Palace, he signed a short-term deal with Watford in January 2022 but departed following the team’s relegation to the Championship. At that time, Hodgson stated that he did not expect to take another managerial job in the Premier League. However, fate had other plans as he returned to lead Crystal Palace just 10 months later.
The future for Hodgson at Crystal Palace remains uncertain, especially with reports suggesting that his departure may be imminent. As fans and pundits speculate about the next chapter for the club, all eyes will be on the upcoming fixture against Everton and how the team responds to the recent challenges they have faced.
(Photo Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)