Arteta sends touching message to Hodgson after Crystal Palace boss taken ill

16 February 2024 , 14:13

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Mikel Arteta has offered a kind word to Roy Hodgson (Image: Getty Images)

Mikel Arteta is sure Roy Hodgson will be trying to return for Crystal Palace as soon as he can after his health scare.

The Eagles announced that the 76-year-old boss had been taken ill during Thursday’s training session. That saw his pre-match press conference ahead of Monday evening’s clash against Everton at Goodison Park cancelled.

Asked about Hodgson, Arteta made sure to bid his opposite number his well-wishes but is in no doubt that he will be aiming to return to the dugout sooner rather than later. Speaking ahead of the Gunners’ clash with Burnley, the Spaniard said: “I don’t know the exact details, hopefully he is feeling much better.

“If that’s the case, and knowing Roy, I think he will be in tomorrow - because he loves it so much. But we all got really worried with the situation and hopefully he is fine.”

Crystal Palace gave an update on Hodgson’s condition on Thursday afternoon. A club statement read: “Following news that Roy Hodgson was taken ill during today’s training session, we can confirm that he is now stable and is currently undergoing tests in hospital. Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery.”

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Players were reportedly hit hard by the scenes at Palace’s Beckenham training ground. The Daily Mail reported that stars were ‘distressed’ and ‘visibly shaken’ by the events.

Hodgson arrived at the training ground at 9:30am, while the health scare occurred shortly after during Thursday’s training session. Away from his slight health scare, there is also some doubt over Hodgson’s position at Selhurst Park.

Roy Hodgson went to hospital for tests (Getty Images)

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Fans have staged protests during a run that has seen the Eagles win just two out of their last 15 games in all competitions. There have been reports that former Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner has been lined up as a successor.

Hodgson would leave the club as a hugely popular figure should the club hierarchy go through with that plan. The former England boss has enjoyed two spells at Crystal Palace. He oversaw 162 games during his first stint and guided the side to safety in all of his campaigns.

Hodgson returned to replace Patrick Vieira in March 2023. He once again masterminded an escape from relegation and then signed a year contract extension last summer - a deal that is set to expire at the end of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, his apparent successor Glasner is currently out of work after leaving Frankfurt last summer. He had previously won the Europa League with the German side and also reached the German Cup final.

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Daniel Orme