Roy Hodgson is targeting a top-half finish next season after agreeing to take charge of Crystal Palace for another campaign, with the former England manager extending his record as the Premier League’s oldest manager past his 76th birthday.
Palace confirmed on Monday that Hodgson will return to Selhurst Park having guided the south Londoners to safety last season after replacing Patrick Vieira in March. But while he will also be joined by his trusted lieutenant Ray Lewington as coach, the former under-23s manager Paddy McCarthy has been promoted to assistant manager and could be the long-term choice to replace Hodgson as Palace look to the future.
McCarthy, a highly rated coach who is popular with the players, began his coaching career with the club’s under-18s after retiring from playing in 2016. He is understood to have come close to being handed the role until the end of the season before the Palace chairman, Steve Parish, opted to bring back Hodgson and the Irishman will continue to be mentored by the manager who turns 76 three days before Palace’s opening game of the season, against Sheffield United.
Parish, is understood to have sounded out several other candidates for the role including Graham Potter, who was sacked by Chelsea at the start of April, Nottingham Forest’s Steve Cooper and Brendan Rodgers, who has since rejoined Celtic. But having steered Palace to safety last season thanks to a run of five victories from eight games, Hodgson was expected to return the role he first assumed in 2017 after the sacking of Frank de Boer.
“I am immensely pleased and proud to be extending my time at Crystal Palace, and I would like to thank the chairman and sporting director [Dougie Freedman] for their continued faith in me,” said Hodgson.
“I know what a fantastic squad we have here. It’s a great blend of youth and potential, alongside experienced players with Premier League and international pedigree. I have spoken with the chairman at length and we agreed that we must be ambitious in getting the most out of such talent. As such, we have set ourselves the target of a top-half finish, which we believe is eminently achievable with such a fabulous group of players and the most magnificent supporters who get behind the team, week in, week out.”
Parish added: “Roy’s record as manager speaks for itself. His return earlier this year along with Ray Lewington and assisted ably by Paddy McCarthy produced a fantastic return both in results and producing some stylish performances, helping us climb the table and get international recognition for our players.
“Appointing Roy for another season will enable him and the squad to hit the ground running for a full pre-season and continue the magnificent momentum that has built up since his return.”
Palace are likely to be without Michael Olise for the start of the new season after he suffered a serious hamstring injury playing for France at the European Under-21 Championship and have yet to hear whether Wilfried Zaha will sign a new four-year contract after his deal expired at the end of June.
