Palace players ‘distressed’ as Roy Hodgson is hospitalized in health scare.
Crystal Palace’s team were left “distressed” when their manager, Roy Hodgson, collapsed and was rushed to hospital after falling ill during training at the club’s base in Beckenham, south London. 76-year-old Hodgson received immediate medical attention before being taken to hospital, where he is currently undergoing tests. As a result, he will not be able to manage Palace’s Premier League match against Everton on Monday night, with Ray Lewington and Paddy McCarthy set to take charge in his absence.
The incident has left the first-team squad concerned and ‘distressed’, with speculation that Hodgson may consider stepping away from football for good after his return to the sport in 2021. However, he will seek medical advice before making a final decision. Hodgson has been under increasing pressure at Selhurst Park due to a poor run of form, winning only three out of 19 matches, and is expected to be replaced imminently.
The health scare has complicated matters, with the club potentially in the process of securing Oliver Glasner as his replacement. Glasner, the Austrian coach formerly with Eintracht Frankfurt, is in advanced discussions to replace Hodgson on an initial two-and-a-half year contract. However, Palace insiders have revealed that a deal for Glasner is not yet fully sealed.
It is expected that the 49-year-old will step into Hodgson’s shoes, but the timing of any announcement will be respectful towards the long-serving head coach. In recent weeks, potential replacements for Hodgson have included Steve Cooper, Kieran McKenna, and Julen Lopetegui, but Glasner, recommended by co-owner John Textor, is currently poised to take over the managerial role at Crystal Palace.
