Crystal Palace are poised to part ways with Roy Hodgson, with Oliver Glasner reportedly set to take his place following advanced discussions on Thursday.
Hodgson, who was scheduled to hold a press conference ahead of Palace’s match against Everton on Monday, had the event canceled at short notice due to illness during the morning training session, the club announced.
The decision to relieve Hodgson of his duties comes after intense scrutiny following a recent defeat to Chelsea. Palace’s chairman, Steve Parish, is believed to have concluded that a change was necessary after a string of poor results, including just four wins in their last 18 league games, plunging the club into a relegation battle.
Glasner emerged as the frontrunner for the managerial position after an unsuccessful attempt to lure Kieran McKenna from Ipswich. Discussions between Glasner, Parish, and the Palace sporting director, Dougie Freedman, have reportedly progressed positively, with an agreement worth approximately £4.5m per season said to be close.
A 49-year-old former defender, Glasner notably guided Eintracht Frankfurt to victory in the 2022 Europa League, defeating West Ham in the semi-finals. Prior to his time at Eintracht, he had successful spells with Wolfsburg and Linz in Austria.
Hodgson, 76, returned to Palace last March, replacing Patrick Vieira, and earned a contract extension due to a decent run of results. However, injuries and a decline in performance this season have led to a change in management.
Recent fan unrest, including confrontations between players and supporters and critical banners at matches, has added pressure on Hodgson. His anticipated departure marks the end of a long and illustrious managerial career spanning over four decades, which included stints at clubs like Inter, Fulham, and Liverpool.