Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish praises impact of Roy Hodgson – Eagles head coach will depart at the end of the season
BY SAM SMITH
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has praised the ‘immense’ contribution of boss Roy Hodgson, who will step down from his role at the end of the season after nearly four years in charge.
Hodgson replaced Frank de Boer in September 2017 with the club having lost all four of their opening matches of that season.
The former England head coach steered the Eagles to a remarkable 11th-placed finish. Palace recently secured a fourth-successive season in the top-flight under Hodgson – the most the club has managed under one manager.
The final two matches against Arsenal and Liverpool will be Hodgson’s last games in management. Parish hopes that supporters – allowed in the ground for only the second time this season – will pay tribute to Hodgson’s 46-year coaching career.
The Palace chief said: “It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work alongside Roy, who is both a magnificent human and an outstanding football manager.
“I know how much it has meant to Roy managing the club he supported as a child, adding to his distinguished and unparalleled career in football management.
“His record with us simply cannot be overstated, he is the only Palace manager to secure four years in the Premier League and he has helped give us stability in the most turbulent of times.
“We will be forever grateful for his immense contribution and I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to show our appreciation at Selhurst Park after the Arsenal match, alongside 6,500 supporters.
“Roy will leave us after our final Premier League match of the season with our enormous thanks for his incredible contribution to our club, and with our very best wishes for the future.”