Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson’s contract length revealed as managerial appointment confirmed

Roy Hodgson has come out of retirement after being appointed as Crystal Palace manager on a deal until the end of the season.

Patrick Vieira was sacked by the club on Friday after a winless 2023. Palace’s next six games are against sides in the bottom nine, with just two of their remaining 10 games versus teams in the top half.

Hodgson was in charge at Selhurst Park between 2017 and 2021 as he announced his retirement from management. He was tempted back into the game last year as he took charge at Watford between January and May but left following the club’s relegation.

Paddy McCarthy, who took interim charge against Arsenal on Sunday, has been named assistant manager with Ray Lewington returning as first-team coach. Dean Kiely will remain in his position as goalkeeping coach.

“I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club,” said Palace chairman Steve Parish.

“We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”

“It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me,” added Hodgson.

“Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.”

Hodgson’s first game back in charge will be against Leicester City on April 1. He has had a long managerial career which has included spells with Inter Milan, Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool, West Brom and Palace.

He managed England between 2012 and 2016. They failed to get out of their group at the 2014 World Cup before being knocked out of Euro 2016 by Iceland, as Hodgson resigned shortly after.