Crystal Palace assistant manager Ray Lewington could remain at the club beyond the summer even if Roy Hodgson leaves, according to the Daily Mail.

The Lowdown: Hodgson set for exit

Hodgson’s deal at Selhurst Park just has a matter of weeks left to run, and it seems as if his days at the club are now numbered.

Reports in recent days have suggested that the Eagles are prepared to announce his departure earlier than expected in order to allow fans the chance to pay tribute to the manager at their final home game of the season against Arsenal.

Plenty of names have been linked with replacing the 73-year-old, including Frank Lampard, Sean Dyche, Chris Wilder, Steve Cooper and Valerien Ismael. However, it seems as if one member of Hodgson’s backroom staff could well stay at the club, even if the manager doesn’t.

The Latest: Lewington to remain?

The Daily Mail understand that Palace are exploring the possibility of keeping Lewington at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles feel that the 64-year-old, who has worked alongside Hodgson for around 15 years, could prove invaluable to a potential new manager due to his understanding of the current playing squad and the club as a whole.

The process for a new manager is thought to be accelerating rapidly, with the club aware that there will be a period of transition when the new boss takes over.

The Verdict: A smart move?

In most managerial cases, successors like to bring their own staff with them, so this latest report comes as a surprise. However, keeping hold of Lewington as an exception could be a smart move by the Eagles.

Maybe not for the long-term, but he could help a new manager settle into life in Croydon during his first season, sharing his knowledge on some players who look set to stay at the club.

A plethora of Palace players are out of contract in the summer, so it looks as if they’ll also be some serious change on the pitch as well as off it.

In other news: Many CPFC fans react to Christian Benteke update, find out more here.