It’s taken a little while for the realisation to hit home, but in the end, Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish, had no other option than to relieve Roy Hodgson of his duties as first-team manager.
The elder statesmen of Premier League managers had sadly fallen in on the day his departure was essentially being announced, which no doubt made the switch to Oliver Glasner seem a little more heartless than it was.
The Selhurst Park faithful had brought banners to recent games and had also been booing Hodgson, and once that happened, Parish would’ve understood that the game was up.
Hodgson had been parachuted back into the club after a worrying slide down the Premier League under Patrick Vieira’s guidance, and his impact was immediate.
Any threat of relegation was alleviated, all whilst playing the best football seen all season.
What a shame then that this season, the form of Hodgson’s side mirrored that of his predecessor.
At the time of writing Palace are just outside of the relegation places, so Glasner certainly has a fight on his hands.
It’s one he’s evidently looking forward to, however, and that new burst of energy and application that he’s sure to bring will undoubtedly galvanise the dressing room.
“Oliver Glasner has been chosen to take over from Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, and fans can now expect modern football, a manager who trusts young players and who helps to develop an offensive football style” Fabrizio Romano said in his exclusive Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside.
“This was crucial for Palace to proceed as Glasner was really convincing in the interviews he had with the club and also he immediately said yes to this possibility.
“He loves the chance to be able to work in the Premier League.”