Crystal Palace have confirmed that Roy Hodgson has stepped down from his post as first-team manager, with the appointment of Oliver Glasner as his replacement announced a few hours later.
Hodgson had been taken ill on Thursday during first-team training in preparation for tonight's match with Everton and taken to hospital, where he was recovering.
In a statement issued today, the club said the 76-year-old Hodgson was now out of hospital and doing well.
Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington will lead Palace's team this evening for the match at Goodison Park.
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Hodgson said: “This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life. I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top-class players and staff doing what I love every day.
“However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer.
“I would like to thank [chairman] Steve Parish and his American partners for their support, along with my coaching staff and backroom team who have helped me so much along the way. In particular, a huge thank you to my long-term friend and assistant, Ray Lewington; coaches Dean Kiely and Paddy McCarthy; plus the excellent sports science, video analysis and medical departments.
“My thanks and respect also to the current squad of players who have been a pleasure to work with - they are a credit to the club and themselves. I am certain that our fans will continue to give their full support to the team for the remainder of this season and beyond.
“I am confident that the season will finish well and I wish the team every success in the weeks, months and seasons to come.”
Parish hails 'professionalism and friendship'
Parish added: “Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten. After four years in which he led the club to maintaining Premier League status season after season, he once again joined us nearly a year ago to steady the ship, and worked wonders. That he then agreed to continue in the summer speaks volumes about his commitment to our club. Quite simply, we owe our continued Premier League status to Roy.
Roy Hodgson has stepped down from his post as first-team manager.
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 19, 2024
We thank Roy for his outstanding service, in which he managed 200 games across six seasons.
“I would like to thank Roy enormously for his service and wish him the very best for the future; it’s fair to say Roy has the keys to Selhurst Park and will always be welcomed back.
“On a personal note I would also like to thank Roy for his support, his professionalism and his friendship. He’s been the manager for half of the time we’ve been in the Premier League, I’ve enjoyed working with him and learning from him immensely.”
Hodgson’s first stint in charge of his boyhood club started in September 2017, taking the reins at a point where Palace had lost their first four matches without scoring.
Despite losing his first three matches, he steadied the ship and led Palace to an 11th-place finish - the first time a team had avoided relegation from the competition having lost their opening seven fixtures.
Hodgson started a second spell at Selhurst Park in March 2023, replacing Patrick Vieira, and steered Palace to safety with five wins and three draws from their final 10 matches.
The Eagles have been blighted by injuries to key players this season including Michael Olise, Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze.
Hodgson departs with the Eagles lying 16th, five points above the relegation zone and following a 3-1 home defeat by Chelsea, their sixth loss in 10 matches.
