Crystal Palace hierarchy had ample warning that Roy Hodgson was ending managerial spell in SE25

Roy Hodgson has revealed he told Crystal Palace’s hierarchy of his decision to step down a “good while” before today’s announcement.

The former England, Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and Liverpool manager will walk away from the Eagles this summer.

Although sources had indicated in recent weeks that Hodgson was poised to call it quits, official confirmation only arrived shortly before midday from the Premier League club.

But the veteran boss – asked what had made him decide it was time to move on – responded: “Nothing has tipped me. It’s not been a question of anything has happened which has tipped the balance and made me think I don’t want to be here anymore. It’s been far more of an intellectual process and decision than that, and a decision really I have been coming to over a very long period of time.

“I did let the chairman Steve Parish and Doug Freedman know a good while ago now, because I thought that was the fairest thing to do. Because we were beginning to get to a situation where plans for next season were coming up more and more, and it didn’t seem right for me to be in some way taking part in those discussions knowing full well that I had made up my mind that I was going to have this as my last season at the club.

“They have been very good. The club has been very good. Everyone has accepted and very much gone along with my decision and it has been a question of us really, as with the players, being able to thank them for the four years.

“I hopefully have given them a chance to at least have a good period of time where they can contemplate now what the future holds for them and what they would want to do to take the club forward.”