Crystal Palace: Roy Hodgson succeeds Frank de Boer as manager

Is Hodgson the man to save Palace?

Former England boss Roy Hodgson has been named as Crystal Palace's new manager on a two-year deal.

Hodgson replaces Frank de Boer, who was sacked on Monday after 77 days and five matches in charge.

The 70-year-old has been out of management since resigning as England boss after their defeat by Iceland at the last-16 stage of Euro 2016.

He will take charge for Palace's Premier League game against Southampton on Saturday at Selhurst Park.

Ray Lewington, who worked with Hodgson at England and Fulham, has been named as his assistant.

Hodgson, who began his playing career at Palace, has previously managed Blackburn, Fulham, Liverpool and West Brom in the Premier League.

"This is very much the club of my boyhood. It is very rewarding to find myself here now, in different times, as manager at a club that I have always loved and admired with a huge potential," he said. external-link

At 70 years and 34 days old, Hodgson is the oldest man to be appointed as a permanent manager in the Premier League.

He held talks with Leicester City earlier this year as a potential candidate to replace Claudio Ranieri, but spent the rest of last season working as a consultant with Melbourne City.

Roy Hodgson's Premier League record
ClubGamesWonDrawnLostGoals forGoals againstWin %
Blackburn Rovers52181321717434.62
Fulham943124389510534.04
Liverpool20749242735
West Brom50181319677236
Total21675548725727834.72

Hodgson, who has been in football management for more than 40 years, led Fulham to the Europa League final in 2010 before his stints at Anfield and The Hawthorns.

His last Premier League job was with West Brom, who he helped avoid relegation after taking over from Roberto Di Matteo in February 2011.

The Baggies were in 10th place when Hodgson was appointed England manager a year later.

He guided England to the quarter-finals at Euro 2012, but two years later they were knocked out at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1958.

Hodgson's team won all 10 matches in qualifying for Euro 2016 but he left after the 2-1 defeat by Iceland left him with a record of three victories from 11 games in major tournaments.

He takes over with Palace bottom of the Premier League, having failed to score in all four of their league matches under De Boer.

"We are the club of south London, with an enormously large fan base," Hodgson told the club website. "The ambitions here are realistic.

"In my youth, watching the club from the terraces at the Holmesdale Road end, I had dreams of playing for the team, then as a coach you think about coaching the team and a lot has happened in between times."

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Analysis

Ian Wright, former Palace and Arsenal striker, speaking on BBC radio 5 live

You hope that's the right decision. It's a different Palace now, they're paying £100k a week - they have to stay in this league. [Chairman Steve] Parrish is very knowledge about what he wants for the club.

People are talking about Hodgson's age. But he's got a love and passion for the game. Of course he's not going there for the next 10 or 15 years. But he's steady, reliable, can get the dressing room going again and get some results.

I think it's quite a good decision to get someone steady. The next few games are difficult. You need someone with experience, who won't panic. The next month will be a rough period for Palace.

I don't think the continuous changing of managers and the way they've played is doing Palace any good. The only massive change [for the better] are the fans - they've gone to a different level. That should be enough to inspire the players, even if they don't like the manager. The players have to look at themselves.

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