Roy Hodgson: Crystal Palace's new boss believes he can keep club in Premier League
Last updated on .From the section Football
Roy Hodgson believes he can keep Crystal Palace in the Premier League and "bring some joy" to the fans.
The former England manager replaced Frank de Boer, who was sacked on Monday after 77 days with winless Palace bottom of the league.
The Eagles face Southampton at home on Saturday, having lost all four league games this season without scoring.
"It could be a good year if it ends up with Palace in the Premier League and the fans happy," said Hodgson.
"I believe the team will stay up. Absolutely. I wouldn't have taken the job if I didn't believe that, or that me and my coaching staff would be the people to do that."
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.
The former defender, who is from Croydon, played for Palace's youth team in the 1960s, but never broke into the first team.
Hodgson added: "It's a chapter in the book of life opening for me, and one I'm looking forward to. One I'm hoping brings joy to the fans of Crystal Palace. That would be special because I am a Croydon boy and didn't leave here until I was 24 years of age."
After Saturday's game, Palace face trips to Manchester United and Manchester City before hosting Premier League champions Chelsea.
He added: "This is a 34-game season. We've had a bad start, and we've handicapped ourselves by not taking any points from the first four games.
"But our focus is really on May, not the end of September. Leagues aren't won or teams relegated in September."
Comments
Join the conversation
Down vote if it was required and Roy will lead them to safety
Life is too short to support a football club managed by Roy Hodgson.
I'm sure Roy is a nice person much loved by his family, but as Premier League manager I'm afraid not. Beggars belief that he can still be considered after a career where he has achieved absolutely nothing.
Palace deserve everything coming their way.
Rooney at DM?
What did you think would happen when we lost the ball? He would tackle and intercept instead of melting like an icecream on a hot day and leaving the opponents with a free run at our defence during every possession?
How the hell do you think you're going to do at CP with their defence?
CP on 3rd Manager of the season by Jan.
Planet Earth to Roy....
Good luck Palace....you'll need it !
I do expect Hodgson to keep them up, it won't be pretty but it'll be effective enough to avoid relegation. Hard to know where they go next season though, as I doubt he'll stay long.
Forever the man getting Harry Kane to take all the corner kicks.
He's already aiming for 40/102 which should be depressing to all palace fans....ambitions are being set way too low
Unfortunately, many neutrals will now want Palace relegated, too punish Steve Parish and co, for bringing this joke of a manager back into our living rooms!