Roy Hodgson: Crystal Palace manager stable in hospital after being taken ill during training

February 15, 2024

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is in a stable condition and having tests in hospital after being taken ill during training on Thursday, the club have confirmed.

The 76-year-old, who is the Premier League's oldest-ever manager, was due to speak at a scheduled press conference at 1.30pm on Thursday to preview Monday's Premier League game against Everton, but members of the media waiting outside the club's New Beckenham training ground were informed the briefing would not take place.

According to Sky in Germany, Palace are set to sack Hodgson with ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner lined up as his replacement.

An update from the club later on Thursday read: "Following news that Roy Hodgson was taken ill during today's training session, we can confirm that he is now stable and is currently undergoing tests in hospital.

"Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery."

Palace sit 15th in the top flight, five points above the relegation zone, ahead of the upcoming clash with third-from-bottom Everton, live on Sky Sports.

Hodgson took charge of his 200th match as Eagles manager on Monday when his side were beaten 3-1 at Selhurst Park by Chelsea.

The former England boss is in his second spell in charge of the south London club, having returned for the final 10 games of last season when he signed a short-term deal to take over from the sacked Patrick Vieira.

He guided the club to an 11th-placed finish before agreeing to continue as manager for the 2023-24 campaign.

Palace have won just six of 24 league fixtures this term, with only three of those victories coming since a 1-0 success at Manchester United in September.

Disgruntled fans have displayed banners in recent weeks calling for Hodgson to be sacked and vented frustration with how the club is being run.

Hodgson could be replaced by Austrian Glasner, who guided Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022 following a penalty shoot-out victory over Rangers in Seville.

The 49-year-old, who has also managed Wolfsburg, has been out of work since leaving the Bundesliga side last summer.

'Hodgson's ill-health comes amid intense speculation around future'

Sky Sports News reporter James Savundra:

"Roy Hodgson arrived here at the training ground on Thursday morning to take training. We were set to speak to him at 1.30pm, that's despite intense speculation around his position at the club with many outlets reporting that he was set to be sacked.

"Then just a few minutes before 1pm yesterday afternoon we received a statement from Crystal Palace confirming that Hodgson was taken ill during the morning training session and would not be taking that press conference at 1.30pm.

"Then at 5pm, we got news that Hodgson was stable and undergoing tests in hospital. We are now awaiting more updates when it comes to Hodgson's health, but also to his position at the football club.

"It does appear that the leading candidate to come in if Crystal Palace are to make a managerial change is Oliver Glasner.

"Sky in Germany have reported he has agreed to join Crystal Palace, but if he is to step in now then he will need to hit the ground running because Crystal Palace have got three really difficult and important games in the relegation fight."

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