Soccer-Hodgson steps down as Palace manager

LONDON (Reuters) -Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson stepped down on Monday less than a year into his second stint at the Premier League club, with Oliver Glasner appointed as his replacement.

The former Liverpool and England boss guided Palace to safety last season but results this term have not met expectations with the South London club 16th in the table.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt manager Glasner has signed a deal to become Palace boss until the end of the 2025/2026 season.

Hodgson's decision follows back-to-back losses to Brighton & Hove Albion and Chelsea. The 3-1 loss to Chelsea at Selhurst Park marked the 76-year-old's 200th match in charge of Palace.

"This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life," Hodgson said in a statement on Palace's website.

"I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top class players and staff doing what I love every day.

"However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer."

Hodgson came under criticism from Palace supporters during last month's 5-0 loss at Arsenal, during which fans expressed their anger by holding up a banner that read, "Wasted Potential. On and off the pitch weak decisions are taking us backwards".

Fans were further angered by Hodgson bringing on Michael Olise as a substitute at Brighton with the team losing 3-0 only for him to break down with another hamstring injury.

Hodgson's first stint as Palace manager, from 2017 to 2021, ended after the club finished 14th in the league.

"Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten," chairman Steve Parish said.

"After four years in which he led the club to maintaining Premier League status season after season, he once again joined us nearly a year ago to steady the ship, and worked wonders.

"That he then agreed to continue in the summer speaks volumes about his commitment to our club. Quite simply, we owe our continued Premier League status to Roy."

Hodgson, who has managed 17 clubs and four national teams in Europe and Asia over 48 years, was taken ill during a training session last week and had tests in hospital. The club said he was now out of hospital and doing well.

Palace visit Everton on Monday when Hodgson's assistant coaches Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington will take charge.

(Reporting by Trevor Stynes; editing by Ken Ferris and Pritha Sarkar)