Crystal Palace set to sack Roy Hodgson as next manager already lined up

Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing to sign Europa League champion Oliver Glasner as a substitute for under-fire manager Roy Hodgson.
Hodgson returned to Selhurst Park in March 2023 on a short-term contract with the club in danger of relegation. After a successful season finale, he was retained for the 2023-24 season, but a recent run of three wins in the previous 17 league games has increased the pressure on the former England manager.

The 76-year-old was expected to lose his job if his team lost at Sheffield United in January. Three points in that game bought him some time, but an injury to star man Michael Olise against Brighton, after which Hodgson threw him on at 3-0 down, hasn’t helped matters.

Former Premier League managers Julen Lopetegui and Steve Cooper have been connected with the Hodgson post. However, former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Glasner appears to be a top possibility.

According to The Guardian, Glasner has been ‘set up’ in case Hodgson is stripped of his duties. The 49-year-old Austrian led Frankfurt to Europa League success in 2022, defeating West Ham in the semis and Rangers in the final, before leaving the club 12 months later.

According to the same newspaper, Palace attempted but failed to sign Kieran McKenna, who is vying for promotion to the Premier League with Ipswich. Palace owner Steve Parish, who brought Hodgson back to South London, is believed to be convinced that a change is due with the team only five points out of the relegation zone, with The Mail stating that talks about a replacement have already begun.

Pressure on Hodgson is thought to have increased following Monday’s defeat at home to Chelsea. Palace led at halftime through Jefferson Lerma, but Chelsea won 3-1, thanks in part to a brace from former Eagles loanee Conor Gallagher.
“We ended the game three goals to one, but I don’t think that was a fair reflection on the way the game was played,” Hodgson told club media following his team’s loss on Monday. “I think it was particularly unfair on the squad today, given the performance they provided and given the level of their drive, their controlled aggression and their mentality.