Former Crystal Palace winger John Salako has described it as "clear and decisive action" by Eagles chairman Steve Parish after replacing Patrick Vieira with Roy Hodgson.
The former England manager has returned to Selhurst Park for a second spell, succeeding Vieira in the Palace hotseat after the Frenchman was relieved of his duties on Friday prior to the Eagles' trip to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.
Paddy McCarthy took interim charge of Palace for the game at the Emirates Stadium, which the Eagles lost 4-1, with Hodgson being appointed on Tuesday morning and McCarthy set to work as assistant manager, while Ray Lewington returns as first team coach and Dean Kiely remains as goalkeeping coach.
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Hodgson was previously manager of Palace between September 2017 and May 2021, with the boyhood Eagles fan guiding the club to safety and several mid-table finishes in the Premier League.
The 75-year-old is now tasked with doing the same again, with Palace currently 12th in the table and just three points above the relegation zone with ten games to play.
Speaking of the decision, Parish said: “I would like to welcome Roy [Hodgson] and Ray [Lewington] back to the club. We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy [McCarthy] can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”
The decision has been met with a mixed response from fans, with Palace looking to try and avoid relegation having been sucked into a battle at the bottom after failing to win a game so far in 2023.
But Salako has said that he feels the ability is there within the Palace squad to keep the Eagles in the Premier League as he gave his verdict on the recent changes at Selhurst Park.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "Palace fans divided on [Patrick] Vieira going and Roy [Hodgson] coming in, but clear and decisive action by Steve Parish. Probably his hardest decision since taking over! Down to some straight talking and the players reacting and stepping up. Ability is there. Desire, performance, drive to win, no!"
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