SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Earlier today, the Evening Standard published some surprising comments from Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson ahead of the Arsenal clash.
Interestingly, the 73-year-old gave a very clear hint that he has no plans to retire anytime soon, despite being the oldest all-time Premier League manager.
Hodgson said: “I have been privileged to have been in it as long as I have been and I am still enjoying it. And I am hoping it will continue for some time to come.”
In fairness to the ex-England boss, if he still has a passion to add to his 45-year managerial career, then he should go for it.
However, Crystal Palace must not get sucked into his comments by offering to extend his contract, which expires in June.
While it would presumably be tempting for Steve Parish to stick with a pair of safe hands for a little bit longer, the south Londoners must move on.
The Eagles are in the process of building a new £20 million academy site, and have a number of exciting youngsters in the youth ranks such as Jadan Raymond and Scott Banks.
In the first-team, Palace also have flair players like Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Zaha, who need the shackles of ‘Hodg-ball’ taken from them as soon as possible.
The Eagles have a good squad, which needs to start aiming higher than just keeping their heads above water year after year.
Keeping Hodgson at Selhurst Park for longer would suggest Palace are content to stand still and continue their current mediocrity.
If he wants to continue, then he should – however, Parish mustn’t allow him to do so in SE25 beyond June.
