Hodgson returns to hot seat at Palace

LONDON: Former England coach Roy Hodgson was appointed Crystal Palace manager yesterday, the Premier League club’s chairman, Steve Parish, said.

Parish posted a message on Twitter saying: “Warm welcome ‘back’ to #cpfc to Roy Hodgson.” Palace sacked Dutchman Frank de Boer on Monday after a fourth straight league defeat of the season at the weekend and are bottom of the standings without a point.

“It’s a great opportunity to return to the game I love, at the highest level, and also at a club I always admired, liked and supported as well,” said Hodgson, pictured. He becomes the second oldest active manager in the top four divisions of English football after Birmingham City’s Harry Redknapp.

“It’s a good day for me, I’m very happy and looking forward to getting down to work and trying to help us get some points in the league and climb up the table,” said Hodgson.

The much-travelled Hodgson quit the England post in June last year after a shock 2-1 defeat by Iceland in the European Championship. He last managed at club level with Premier League side West Brom before taking up the England job in 2012. He has also been in charge at Blackburn, Fulham and Liverpool, as well as several clubs in Europe.

Hodgson has little prospect of a honeymoon period, with Palace hosting Southampton before playing Manchester City and Manchester United away and then champions Chelsea at home in their next four league matches. – Reuters