Crystal Palace set to sack Roy Hodgson as next manager already lined up
Crystal Palace are ready to move for Europa League winner Oliver Glasner as a replacement for under-fire manager Roy Hodgson, it has been claimed.
Hodgson returned to Selhurst Park in March 2023 on a short-term deal with the team at risk of relegation. After a successful end to the season, he was kept on for the 2023-24 campaign, but a recent run of three wins from the last 17 league games has ramped up the pressure on the former England manager.
The 76-year-old was understood to be at risk of the sack if his team had lost to Sheffield United in January. Three points in that game bought him some time, but an injury to star man Michael Olise against Brighton - after Hodgson brought him on at 3-0 down - hasn't helped matters.
A number of names have been linked with Hodgson's job, including former Premier League bosses Julen Lopetegui and Steve Cooper. Now, though, former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Glasner looks to be a leading contender.
According to The Guardian, Glasner has been 'lined up' if Hodgson is relieved of his duties. The 49-year-old Austrian led Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022, beating West Ham in the semis and Rangers in the final, but left the club 12 months later.
Transfer news live - Fernandez flying in for Chelsea and Man Utd land SabitzerThe same paper says Palace have tried and failed to land Kieran McKenna, who is pushing for promotion to the top flight with Ipswich Town. Palace owner Steve Parish, the man who brought Hodgson back to South London, is said to be convinced a change could be necessary with the team just five points clear of the relegation places, with The Mail reporting discussions over a replacement have already begun.
Pressure on Hodgson is understood to have grown after Monday's defeat at home to Chelsea. Palace led at half-time through Jefferson Lerma, only for Chelsea to run out 3-1 winners thanks in part to a brace from former Eagles loanee Conor Gallagher.
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"We end the game three goals to one, but I don’t think that was a fair reflection on the way the game was played," Hodgson told club media after his team's loss on Monday night. "I think it was particularly harsh on the team today, given the performance they gave and given the level of their determination, their controlled aggression and their attitude.
"I think we deserved to come off this game with at least one point, but we don’t. That’s how we’re going to have to lift our heads and get over [it] and prepare for the next one."
Palace's next two games could be huge when it comes to their safety, as they take on teams in the relegation zone. On Monday they head north to face an Everton side who knocked them out of the FA Cup, and after that comes a home meeting with 19th-place Burnley.
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