Roy Hodgson will leave his role as manager of Crystal Palace at the end of this season after four years in the job.
Hodgson’s final match in charge of the Eagles will be at Anfield against Liverpool on Sunday, his 162nd competitive match in the Palace dugout.
The 73-year-old took over his boyhood club in September 2017 with Palace bottom of the league after the swift departure of Frank de Boer.
However, the former England boss quickly turned things around and since then the club has maintained its top-flight status on four consecutive occasions.
Hodgson said: "After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace.
"It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace.
"I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.
"I have had so much support from my wife and family throughout my career and I have been contemplating this decision for some time, and now I believe the time is right to consider them and to see what the future holds for me.
"I have really enjoyed my time at Palace, I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of professional and dedicated players, most of whom have been with me throughout the four years."
After nearly four years of managing his boyhood club, Roy Hodgson will be stepping down as our manager at the end of this season.
Thank you for everything, Roy ❤️💙— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 18, 2021
"A manager is only as good as the players who perform on the pitch," he added.
"I have been fortunate that those in my charge have certainly given me that and I thank them for it.
"I am sure I speak for all the players, my coaching staff and backroom team, when I say I am proud of the work we have done together to retain our Premier League status during this time.
"I would also like to thank our Chairman Steve Parish, his partners David Blitzer and Josh Harris and Sporting Director Dougie Freedman for all their support over the years.
"They gave me an opportunity to return to my hometown club and I have always felt we were singing from the same hymn sheet in trying to achieve our joint goals.
"I can only wish them all the very best of luck for a successful future and I am convinced that the club will go from strength to strength."
Palace are currently 13th in the Premier League and host Arsenal on Wednesday, before finishing their campaign away to one of Hodgson's former clubs Liverpool on Sunday.
Not only do Palace need a new manager this summer but also several players to replace an aging squad, with half the first-team squad out of contract.
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
