De Boer’s quick sacking opens door for Hodgson

● Dutchman is jettisoned from Selhurst Park after just four Premier League games

Crystal Palace are preparing to appoint Roy Hodgson as manager after sacking Frank de Boer following only four Premier League matches in charge.

The Dutchman departed yesterday, only 77 days into a three-year contract, after they became the first team in England’s top division to lose their opening four league fixtures without scoring since Preston 93 years ago.

It is understood Hodgson is in talks to accept his first job in management since resigning from the England post after Euro 2016.

The 70-year-old was also approached when Sam Allardyce was eventually appointed to succeed Alan Pardew last December and, after a significant break from football, now looks set to return to oversee Saturday’s home match against Southampton.

Palace’s board had acted after losing confidence in the 47-year-old De Boer’s ability to improve results ahead of a run in which Huddersfield, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea follow Saints.

While his time at Selhurst Park remains longer than the shortest term for any Premier League manager – Les Reed’s 40 days at Charlton, followed by Rene Meulensteen’s 75 at Fulham – he oversaw two fewer games.

Crystal Palace produced an improved performance in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Burnley, whose goal was gifted to Chris Wood by an awful back-pass from Lee Chung-yong, but previous losses to Huddersfield and Swansea did little to inspire optimism. De Boer’s only victory in charge came over Championship side Ipswich, 2-1, in the Carabao Cup.

“Crystal Palace Football Club have this morning parted company with Frank de Boer.” a club statement read.

“We would like to thank Frank for his dedication and hard work during his time at the club.

“A new manager will be appointed in due course and we wish Frank the very best of luck for the future.

“There will be no further comment at this time.”

Hodgson last worked in the Premier League with West Brom in 2012, before leaving to become England manager. A year earlier he had inspired them, as he did with Fulham in 2007/08, to secure top-flight survival.

Between his time at Fulham and West Brom, Hodgson also had an unsuccessful spell at Liverpool that lasted only six months.

Born in Croydon, Hodgson spent three years on Palace’s books as a young defender in the 1960s before leaving without making an appearance. His return would essentially bring his career full circle, in what could prove his last job.