21 March 2023 , 08:03
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Roy Hodgson has come out of retirement to replace Patrick Vieira as Crystal Palace manager until the end of the season.
The Eagles announced on Tuesday morning that the 75-year-old would return for a second spell in charge of the Premier League club. The former England boss has been charged with saving Palace from relegation, with Vieira having failed to win a league game in 2023.
Hodgson was previously in charge at Selhurst Park for four years between 2017 and 2021, keeping them safely in the top-flight each season. He was replaced in the summer of 2021 by Vieira as Palace chiefs sought to bring in a more modern coach.
But that strategy backfired this season, with Vieira struggling to turnaround his side's poor form since the Premier League returned after the World Cup. Now, Hodgson has been brought back to steady the ship ahead of a fresh search for a permanent manager in the summer.
Hodgson's long-time assistant manager Ray Lewington will also return to Selhurst Park as first-team coach, with caretaker boss Paddy McCarthy becoming his number two. Dean Kiely will remain in his post as goalkeeping coach.
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Darren Powell will replace McCarthy as Palace's under-21s manager after the latter's promotion to the first-team coaching staff. Chairman Steve Parish welcomed Hodgson back to his boyhood club, admitting the Eagles were in a "very challenging" position.
“I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club. We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league,” he said.
Hodgson also revealed his delight at returning to Palace and insisted his sole focus was keeping the Eagles in the Premier League. His last job came at Watford last season, though he was unable to save the Hornets from relegation.
“It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around," he said.
"Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status
“Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit, and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us, beginning with the visit of Leicester City a week Saturday.”
Hodgson takes over with Palace sitting 12th in the Premier League table heading into the international break. But they are just three points above the relegation zone, with their last top-flight win coming on New Year's Eve.