Roy Hodgson, 75, indicators one-year contract to handle Crystal Palace

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — After saving Crystal Palace from relegation, 75-year-old Roy Hodgson was rewarded Monday with a one-year contract to handle the Premier League membership.

The deal comes two years after Hodgson ended his first spell on the membership and introduced his retirement from soccer.

“I’m immensely happy and proud to be extending my time at Crystal Palace,” Hodgson mentioned. “I do know what a incredible squad we’ve right here. It’s an awesome mix of youth and potential, alongside skilled gamers with Premier League and worldwide pedigree.”

Hodgson, who turns 76 subsequent month, simply can’t appear to steer clear of the game.

His departure from Palace in 2021 was imagined to sign the tip of his 45-year managerial profession, which noticed him take cost of golf equipment equivalent to Inter Milan and Liverpool, in addition to the England nationwide workforce.

However he was tempted out of retirement for a brief spell at Watford in 2022 after which once more final season when Palace got here calling with the membership solely three factors above the relegation zone after a 12-match winless run.

He went on to win his first three video games in cost, with Palace shedding solely two of his 10-match stint to comfortably keep away from relegation from England’s profitable high division.

Hodgson, who initially managed Palace from 2017-21, was given a short-term deal when changing the fired Patrick Vieira final season.

Given the gamers at his disposal, he mentioned he doesn’t anticipate to be concerned in one other relegation combat.

“I’ve spoken with the chairman at size and we agreed that we have to be formidable in getting essentially the most out of such expertise,” Hodgson mentioned. “As such, we’ve set ourselves the goal of a top-half end, which we imagine is eminently achievable with such a wonderful group of gamers and essentially the most magnificent supporters who get behind the workforce, week in, week out.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish mentioned Hodgson’s appointment final season “produced a incredible return each in outcomes and producing some fashionable performances,” which included a 5-1 rout of relegation rival Leeds.

“Roy’s document as supervisor speaks for itself,” Parish mentioned. “Appointing Roy for an additional season will allow him and the squad to hit the bottom working for a full pre-season and proceed the magnificent momentum that has constructed up since his return.”

Over his two spells at Palace, Hodgson has managed 172 video games.