According to talkSPORT, Roy Hodgson is open to the possibility of returning to his former club, Crystal Palace, on a short-term basis. The 75-year-old is among the contenders to replace Patrick Vieira, who was sacked as manager after a 1-0 loss to rivals Brighton. Palace are looking to appoint a successor during the international break and Hodgson could be an interim option until the end of the season.
Hodgson spent four years in charge at Selhurst Park and has maintained a good relationship with the Eagles hierarchy. Since Vieira’s firing, Hodgson has shot to the top of the betting odds to replace him, having himself been replaced by the Frenchman in 2021.
Palace finished 12th in the league last season under Vieira, but due to an appalling winless run in 2023, they now find themselves three points from the relegation zone. The three fixtures before Brighton saw Palace fail to manage a single shot on target.
Among the runners and riders for the Palace job are a number of familiar faces, including Jesse Marsch and Ralph Hassenhuttl, who were sacked by Leeds and Southampton respectively this season. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez is also among the names, along with ex-Borussia Dortmund and Nice boss Lucien Favre.
Hodgson’s potential return to Palace on a short-term basis could provide stability and experience for the club during a difficult period. However, it remains to be seen whether Palace will opt for a short-term solution or a longer-term appointment.
Regardless of who takes over as manager, Palace will need to turn their form around quickly if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. With tough fixtures against Tottenham, Manchester United and Liverpool coming up, it will be a challenging period for whoever takes charge.
For Hodgson, a return to Palace would provide an opportunity to prove his worth once again at a club where he enjoyed success in the past. Despite his age, Hodgson has shown no signs of slowing down and could be a valuable asset for Palace in their bid to avoid relegation.
Overall, it remains to be seen who will take over as Palace manager, but Hodgson’s willingness to return on a short-term basis could provide an intriguing option for the club. With the international break providing some breathing space, Palace will be hoping to make a swift appointment and turn their fortunes around before it’s too late.