Hodgson retires following Crystal Palace departure

Following the announcement that Roy Hodgson will be leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season, the 73-year-old has confirmed his retirement from the game.

Hodgson returned to his birthplace in 2017, taking over Palace and helping them avoid relegation for the past four seasons, but the club look set to go in a new direction, with Frank Lampard heavily linked to the role.

Hodgson, the Premier League’s oldest ever manager, began his management career in Scandinavia, before switching to Switzerland where he achieved success at club and international level, earning a move to Inter Milan.

Spells across the continent and Middle East followed, before unsuccessful spells at both Liverpool and England, however Hodgson possesses a revered reputation at many of the Premier League sides he has managed.

“After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top flight Premier League football, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace,” Hodgson said in a statement today. 

“It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace. I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.

“I have had so much support from my wife and family throughout my career and I have been contemplating this decision for some time, and now I believe the time is right to consider them and to see what the future holds for me.”