The Crystal Palace board are suspected to have made a decision over the future of Roy Hodgson as manager of the club, according to new reports.
The narrative surrounding Crystal Palace is that of the future of Roy Hodgson, as the Englishman’s position as manager has come under scrutiny in recent weeks.
According to a report from the Guardian last week, co-owner of the Eagles, Steve Parish, is said to be ‘strongly contemplating’ sacking the 76-year-old with just one win recorded so far in 2024.
As Palace prepare to welcome London rivals Chelsea to Selhurst Park on Monday night, fresh reports have provided an update on the status of Hodgson’s employment, in news that could shock many.
What reports have said about Steve Parish and the future of Roy Hodgson
Earlier this week, Football Insider’s transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke reported that Parish has made his decision over Hodgson, suggesting that the consensus at Selhurst is that the club’s hierarchy ‘do not currently want to sack’ the veteran manager.
According to the site’s sources, it’s believed that Parish is happy to allow the Englishman to remain as the figure in charge of the first team, but the intention is there to replace him at the end of the 2023/24 season.
Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira after his dismissal in March 2023, just two years after the 76-year-old resigned from his previous role to be succeeded by the Frenchman.
Following Palace’s 4-1 defeat to Brighton last weekend, fingers were quickly pointed to the manager due to the overall performance and in-game decisions at the Amex, as tension continued to rise around the club.
After the loss, the Guardian claimed that Parish was considering possible replacements for Hodgson, even naming the likes of Julen Lopetegui and Steve Cooper as potential successors.
The fear setting in at Palace is rumoured to be the struggle to identify a replacement that is willing to take over at this point in the campaign, leaving options for progression thin unless form makes a sharp U-turn.
What the reports on Roy Hodgson could mean for Crystal Palace’s season
As the fixtures continue to come thick and fast for Palace, the challenge for a new manager to take on could deter the right candidate from being hired just to solve the current dip in form.
Hodgson is a relatively popular figure at the club, as tensions from the supporters are for the most part directed at those above the first-team boss, with the progression of the club under Parish and co a far greater worry than just the on-field woes.
Keeping the faith in Hodgson could promote stability in the squad for the remainder of the season, although the worry will remain as the Eagles sit just five points above the bottom three after 23 played.
Only time will tell if Football Insider’s reports on Parish’s decision are to be believed, with the focus solely on the clash with Chelsea on Monday night.
