Roy Hodgson steps down as Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner steps in

Semiu Salami
Semiu Salami
Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson has stepped down as Crystal Palace boss so they can “bring forward their plans to appoint a new manager”.

The Eagles have since appointed former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, 49, as his permanent successor.

Hodgson, 76, was “taken ill” during training on Thursday amid reports he was to be sacked, with Palace five points above the relegation zone.

“This club is very special and means so much to me,” said Hodgson.

The Eagles have lost 10 of their past 16 Premier League games and are 16th in the table. They visit Everton, who are 18th, on Monday.

“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,” added Hodgson.

“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 am confident that the season will finish well and I wish the team every success in the weeks, months and seasons to come.”

The club said Hodgson was now out of hospital and “doing well”.

“Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten,” said chairman Steve Parish.

“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. Quite simply, we owe our continued Premier League status to Roy.

“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.”

A protest banner by Crystal Palace fans that reads "wasted potential on and off the pitch. Weak decisions taking us backwards".
Crystal Palace fans have held up banners protesting against the way the club is being run during recent games at Arsenal and Brighton

Hodgson was in his second stint in charge of Palace, having returned for the final 10 games of last season when he signed a short-term deal to take over from Patrick Vieira.

He led the club to 11th in the table before agreeing to continue to manage the side for the 2023-24 campaign, which Parish said “speaks volumes about his commitment to our club”.

His decision to take off midfielder Eberechi Eze in the second half of Palace’s FA Cup replay defeat by Everton, plus his handling of injured winger Michael Olise against Brighton, both drew strong criticism.

Olise limped off just 11 minutes after coming on as a half-time substitute at Amex Stadium earlier this month.

Supporters have also displayed banners protesting at how the club is being run during recent games against Arsenal and Brighton.

Following the 4-1 loss to Roberto de Zerbi’s side, Hodgson said he had the “strength and resilience” to turn the team’s poor form around.

Glasner lifted the Europa League with Frankfurt in 2022 during his first season in charge when they beat Scottish side Rangers on penalties in the final.

After guiding Frankfurt to the knockout stages of the Champions League last year, the Austrian left the club at the end of the season with a year still left on his contract, following a 10-match winless run in the Bundesliga.

From Halmstad to England – Hodgson’s managerial career

Hodgson’s managerial career started in 1976 with Swedish side Halmstad and he has managed 17 club sides and four international teams doing a career spanning 48 years.

He has won 15 major honours, including two Swedish titles with Malmo, where he was in charge between 1985 and 1989.

He also finished as runner-up in the Uefa Cup with Inter Milan in 1997 and the Europa League with Fulham in 2010.

Hodgson’s first international job was with Switzerland in 1992 before spells with the United Arab Emirates and Finland.

He became England boss in May 2012, winning 33 of his 56 games in charge.

He led the Three Lions at three major tournaments but failed to end their wait for a first trophy since 1966.

They were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Euro 2012 and the group stage of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, before an embarrassing last-16 exit against Iceland at Euro 2016.

When Hodgson left Palace in 2021, he refused to say he was retiring and ultimately joined Watford in January 2022, but failed to keep the Hornets in the Premier League.

He said he did not expect to take another job in the Premier League when he left Vicarage Road.

In May, Hodgson said he would not use the word “retire” when discussing his next steps in football.

Meanwhile, the club has appointed former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner as their new manager.

The 49-year-old Austrian replaces Roy Hodgson, who stepped down on Monday so Palace could “bring forward their plans to appoint a new manager at the end of the season”.

Palace are 16th in the Premier League after 10 defeats in the past 16 games.

Glasner has signed a contract until June 2026 and will be in charge for Saturday’s home game against Burnley.

He was pictured watching Tottenham’s defeat by Wolves on Saturday, with Spurs hosting Palace on March 2.

Hodgson’s coaches, Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy will be in charge of Monday’s game at Everton.

It is unknown if Glasner, who is yet to appoint a coaching team, will be at Goodison Park. “I am very happy to join Crystal Palace,” said Glasner.

“I am looking forward to working with the talented squad, meeting the club’s supporters and experiencing the Selhurst Park atmosphere I have heard so much about.

“It has been a pleasure to meet with Steve [Parish, chairman] and Dougie [Freedman, sporting director], and I am looking forward to working with them to achieve our goals.”

“I’m delighted to welcome Oliver to the club,” said Parish. “He has an outstanding record, and we believe he is the right manager to take the club forward at this pivotal stage.

“Wherever Oliver has gone so far in his managerial journey, success has been quick to follow, and we believe his ambition, as well as his exciting and attacking approach is the perfect fit for getting the most from our talented young squad in the remainder of this Premier League season and beyond.”

The former defender spent 19 years as a player at Austria side SV Ried, before starting his managerial career at the club.

He moved to LASK after one season, spending four years in charge, before a move to German club Wolfsburg.

In 2022, Glasner joined Frankfurt, winning the Europa League during his first season in charge when they beat Scottish side Rangers on penalties in the final.

After guiding Frankfurt to the knockout stages of the Champions League last year, the Austrian left the club at the end of the season with 12 months left on his contract, following a 10-match winless run in the Bundesliga.

Glasner ‘works methodically – there’s no chopping and changing’

In 2022, former Bayern Munich manager and current Wolfsburg boss Niko Kovac – a predecessor of Glasner at Frankfurt – explained what made the Austrian such a good manager.

“He’s very structured, very well-organised, meticulous, observes the opposition very closely and prepares the team very well for them,” said Kovac.

“He doesn’t just let Eintracht run their boots off. He adjusts tactics and tries to simulate the opponent during the week in training.

“Oliver has transferred his ideas of football well to his team because he works methodically, because there’s no chopping and changing.”

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