Frank Lampard is reportedly set to be the next Crystal Palace head coach when Roy Hodgson steps down from the role at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.
It was announced that Hodgson would leave the position he has occupied since 2017, keeping the Eagles in the Premier League for four successive seasons. The former Liverpool and England boss has tutored Palace to 160 games across all competitions but he has decided to call time on coaching in the top flight after their last two games of the campaign.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Hodgson thanked the hierarchy of the club, staff and players for their support during his time at Selhurst Park.
“After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace,” he said.
“It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace. I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.
“I have really enjoyed my time at Palace, I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of professional and dedicated players, most of whom have been with me throughout the four years. A manager is only as good as the players who perform on the pitch. I have been fortunate that those in my charge have certainly given me that and I thank them for it.
“I would also like to thank our chairman Steve Parish, his partners David Blitzer and Josh Harris and sporting director Dougie Freedman for all their support over the years. They gave me an opportunity to return to my hometown club and I have always felt we were singing from the same hymn sheet in trying to achieve our joint goals.
“I can only wish them all the very best of luck for a successful future and I am convinced that the club will go from strength to strength.”
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish expressed his gratitude to Hodgson ahead of his exit, praising the impact he has had at the club for the past years.
“It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work alongside Roy, who is both a magnificent human and an outstanding football manager,” Parish said.
“I know how much it has meant to Roy managing the club he supported as a child, adding to his distinguished and unparalleled career in football management.
“His record with us simply cannot be overstated, he is the only Palace manager to secure four years in the Premier League and he has helped give us stability in the most turbulent of times. We will be forever grateful for his immense contribution and I am delighted that we will have the opportunity to show our appreciation at Selhurst Park after the Arsenal match, alongside 6,500 supporters.
“Roy will leave us after our final Premier League match of the season with our enormous thanks for his incredible contribution to our club, and with our very best wishes for the future.”
Lampard, who has been out of work since January, is heavily linked to the most likely candidate to replace Hodgson at Palace.
According to reports, talks between club officials and Lampard’s representatives are already underway as Palace looks to recruit a new man for the job as soon as possible.
With another season in the first division assured, Hodgson will be on the touchline for the South London club’s final two games against Arsenal and Liverpool.
Story by Sammy Wejinya
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