The Crystal Palace manager is under huge pressure as restless supporters call for Steve Parish to make a change in the dugout
Roy Hodgson has demonstrated his thick skin once more. Even though his Crystal Palace club doesn’t have much tenacity on the field right now, their manager certainly exhibits it during news conferences.
“I accepted this offer to lead this football team as manager. And I’ve got the fortitude, tenacity, and resolve to see things through,” Hodgson declared following Palace’s 4-1 thumping at Brighton, where the Eagles’ supporters angrily demanded the dismissal of their manager.
Regarding the taunts, Hodgson declared, “I’m definitely not going to be cowed by that type of thing.”
It is fortunate that Hodgson has escaped punishment, as more of the same “hurtful” remarks could be in store for the struggling veteran as the club hesitates to name a new manager.
Although Julen Lopetegui and Steve Cooper have been mentioned as potential successors, there is a feeling at Selhurst Park that the time isn’t yet right for a new long-term appointment.
Naturally, Palace has been here before when they appointed Patrick Vieria in an attempt to move on from Hodgson, who was fired in March of the previous season following a winning streak of 12 games.
Although Hodgson performed admirably in stabilizing the team and avoiding relegation, Palace chairman Steve Parish’s decision to reappoint the 76-year-old was always based on short-term concerns.
You can see why Parish and the club’s leadership are being cautious in this instance. Since the squad is still five points above the relegation zone and the new manager needs time to settle in and put his own ideas into practice, there’s little sense in making a snap decision on their next hire.
Within the club, there is a great deal of respect for Hodgson, and nobody wants to repeat the mistakes of Frank de Boer, who was fired after four games, four losses, and one win in 2017.
The fact that Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, and Michael Olise are currently experiencing injuries and will be evaluated later this week only serves to exacerbate the situation. These three players are possibly Palace’s most vital players, so having them out with a difficult schedule ahead of them would be a hospital pass for any new manager taking over.
The next game at Selhurst Park, which might be a make-or-break match for Mauricio Pochettino and Hodgson (assuming he’s still in) is against Chelsea on February 12. It’s dangerous to travel to Everton after that.
In any case, Parish’s hand will be forced because Hodgson will undoubtedly reach a breaking point if those games are lost. Hodgson isn’t the only target of the dissatisfied supporters; a poster in the Brighton away end stated, “no shared vision, no structured plan,” and the team will need to take action. They might take a chance with a temporary management or hope Cooper or someone else is ready to take the risk. There are games coming up that should be won against Burnley and Luton.
In the interim, Hodgson’s best case scenario is a stay of execution until the summer, so patience will be put to the ultimate test. However, he has the right to be furious about the dying of the light after working as a manager for 48 years.
