Patrick Vieira earns praise from Crystal Palace boss predecessor Roy Hodgson
Former Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has praised the appointment of his successor Patrick Vieira and hailed the job he is currently doing with the South London club as “excellent”.
The 74-year-old stepped down from his managerial position at Selhurst Park at the end of last season after four seasons in charge, with the South Londoners appointing Vieira as his replacement.
Vieira has implemented an exciting brand of possession-based football that has caught the eye, aided by an extensive summer squad rebuild. Palace are 10th in the Premier League and on a six-match unbeaten run.
Speaking at the world premiere of ‘Arsene Wenger: Invincible’, Hodgson told Sky Sports: “It’s been excellent. We did our work during the four years – there was a platform there. The team certainly needed some new players, it needed some rejuvenation, and it needed a fresh voice as well.
“It was a stroke of genius from the club to give Patrick the job. I admire him very much and respect him – he’s a very good person as well. I am pleased to see a club that means a lot to me in such good hands. At the moment, I can’t imagine it could have possibly gone any better.
“I congratulate him, of course, and I honestly believe that he will go on from strength to strength.”
Speaking to Press Association about what Vieira learned from his old Arsenal boss Wenger, Hodgson added: “Patrick’s learnt a lot from quite a few people along the way, but there’s no doubt that he’s done a wonderful job so far at Crystal Palace.
“The club’s in very good shape. Who knows, maybe in the future we’ll be seeing a film about Patrick Vieira’s managerial achievements? I would like to think so.”
Paddy McCarthy’s Crystal Palace U21 side were knocked out of the group stages of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday night, with a 3-0 loss against League One Portsmouth ending their first season in the competition at the bottom of Group J on goal difference.
However, due to the final game of the group falling on an international break, McCarthy was unable to call upon the likes of Jesurun Rak-Sakyi, Jack Wells-Morrison, Scott Banks, Jake O’Brien, Tayo Adaramola and Joe Whitworth for the trip to Fratton Park.
Joachim Andersen has withdrawn from international duty for Denmark’s World Cup qualifiers against Scotland and Faroe Islands due to a minor injury.
MAIN PICTURE: CPFC
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