Crystal Palace have made contact with Roy Hodgson over a potential return to Selhurst Park, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Vieira sacked
Patrick Vieira was sacked by Palace on Friday morning, days on from the club’s 1-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League. That loss made it 12 without a win in 2023, with the Eagles now averaging just a point a game in the top flight with 11 games to go.
They are three points clear of the drop zone heading into this afternoon’s fixtures, with former captain and current U21s coach Paddy McCarthy set to take the team against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Steve Parish has admitted he will not rush when it comes to bringing in Vieira's successor, although reports elsewhere seem to suggest he has already contacted one available manager.
The Latest: Contact made
FI reporter Wayne Veysey shared a managerial update from Selhurst Park on Friday, saying that the club want to make a swift appointment.
They revealed that Palace have made contact with Hodgson over a short-term deal until the end of the season, with the 75-year-old ‘believed to be keen on returning to Palace and a deal could be formalised quickly if all parties can reach an agreement.’
The Verdict: One to watch?
Hodgson took over his boyhood club back in 2017 and helped keep the Eagles in the Premier League for the four seasons under his leadership. He took charge of 162 competitive games with Palace and left on good terms after the 2020/21 campaign, saying:
“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.”
However, with Palace now in free fall and in real danger of slipping further down the table, he could be a shrewd experienced option to return on a short-term basis.
Hodgson, who plays an attacking 4-3-3 system, as per Transfermarkt, has 125 wins as a Premier League manager from 384 games at an average 1.22 points per game. That form for the remaining 11 games should take Palace close to the 40-point mark and potential survival, which is the club’s main objective.
Therefore, this could be one to keep an eye on over the coming days, and his return could be welcomed by Wilfried Zaha, who paid a public tribute to Hodgson after he left Palace two years ago.