Roy Hodgson in talks to return as Crystal Palace manager – reports

Roy Hodgson is said to be in talks to return to Crystal Palace following the sacking of his successor, Patrick Vieira.

Vieira replaced former England boss Hodgson, now 75, in 2021 but the club are said to be considering turning back the clock after losing faith in the Frenchman.

The palace declined to comment when contacted by the Palestinian News Agency.

Hodgson looked close to retirement when he left Palace 18 months ago, but he accepted a firefighting assignment at Watford last year, trying unsuccessfully to steer the Hornets away from relegation.

He signaled at the time that his long and eventful career was about to come to an end – saying: ‘I don’t think I’ll be lending my name any more to stories in the world of Premier League football’ – but his determination could stretch due to one last spell on his old ground. .

Any deal would likely be short-lived, perhaps until the end of the current campaign. And soon, former captain Paddy McCarthy will lead the side against Arsenal on Sunday, with the help of Under-21s coach Darren Powell and goalkeepers coach Dean Kelly.

Palace have held 12th place for nine consecutive weeks, but their recent form, 12 games in all competitions without a win and just five goals, has left the south London side just three points clear of the relegation zone with 11 games to go.

While Hodgson’s candidacy appears to be moving forward, the likes of Jesse Marsh, out of work since leaving Leeds last month, and former Southampton boss Ralph Hessenhuttl, Lucien Favre and Adi Hutter have all been linked.

Palace chairman Steve Parish has insisted the mood around his club remains upbeat following Vieira’s departure.

“The players are fine and everyone is really looking forward to Sunday,” Palace co-owner Parish told Sky Sports.

“The feeling is good. You know, everyone loved Patrick, genuinely. The guys had all the time in the world for him. I saw from the performances that he didn’t lose players at all, they were all running around and playing with him.”

“I think things weren’t happening so the mood was good, it was good, but obviously we hope there’s a little bit of new momentum, some different ideas and maybe surprise the opposition a little bit by doing something different.

“We’ve got good players, we’ve got a good team, we’ve got good lads. They’re following Patrick and they’re going to follow Paddy and they’re going to follow Darren and they’re going to do everything for the football club.

“Everyone is positive and wants to do their best and thinks we can win football games. I won’t tell you it’s great today because Patrick is gone, because Patrick is a great guy and people loved working with him.

“I am sure he will continue and be as successful as last year was for us elsewhere, and maybe he will learn from the parts where he lost his way a little bit, and I really hope he does. It’s just football, right?”

McCarthy took the squad through training when news of Vieira’s departure broke, telling Palace: “Under strange circumstances, the players have shown good energy and enthusiasm.

“Obviously it’s a huge moment for me, but ultimately it’s not about me.

“My only focus at the moment is to get the team ready for the Arsenal game in the short amount of time we have, so everything will be geared towards that.

“I’m going to push all of those feelings to one side. Yes, it will be a great opportunity for Darren and me to coach at that level, but the focus is just on making the game plan and executing that on Sunday.”

While Palace currently occupy the same place where they finished last season, the starting numbers look very different – their total of 21 goals in 27 matches this season is less than any Premier League team other than Wolverhampton, Everton and Southampton (20) and just barely. Half of those tally, 37, at the same stage last season.