Hodgson, oldest Premier League manager ever (75), must save Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson is returning to the Premier League. At Crystal Palace, the 75-year-old manager is going to sharpen his own record as the oldest ever choice player at the highest level in England.

Hodgson is even a month and a half older than Dick Advocaat, who returned to soccer this season with his beloved ADO Den Haag. And so Hodgson also has a hand in going back on his earlier decision to retire.

For after failing to keep Watford in the Premier League on an earlier return last year, the former England national team coach once again indicated he would not be looking for a new club. “Nor do I think my name will be mentioned again for new adventures in the world of the Premier League,” he said.

And yet so it happened, after the dismissal of Patrick Vieira. Crystal Palace is in 12th place, but the difference with the relegation zone is only three points.

“It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me,” Hodgson said via his new employer’s club channel. “Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us. Our only goal is to secure our Premier League status.”

In doing so, Hogdson can also count on the efforts of the almost forgotten triple Dutch national Jaïro Riedewald, who was once brought to London by Frank de Boer.

The 26-year-old defender has only appeared once in the Premier League in the last two seasons, but was a base player for a while during the earlier period under Hodgson (from 2017 to 2021). Hodgson himself played for Crystal Palace in the distant past.