Roy Hodgson given emotional guard of honour ahead of his last home game in charge of Crystal Palace against Arsenal with veteran boss, 73, stepping down from his boyhood club at the end of the season
- Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson will leave the club at the end of the season
- Hodgson stepped out for his last home fixture in charge of his boyhood team
- Both Palace and Arsenal handed veteran Hodgson a touching guard of honour
- Thousands of returning Palace supporters also gave him a rapturous response
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson was given a touching guard of honour by his own players and Arsenal‘s ahead of his final game in charge at Selhurst Park.
Hodgson, 73, has confirmed he will step down from his post in charge of his boyhood club at the end of the season – and tributes to his decades of work quickly flooded in from across the football world.
Mikel Arteta warmly labelled Hodgson as a ‘legend’ of the game, and the Arsenal coach lined up alongside the stars as Hodgson emerged from the tunnel for the last time on Wednesday evening.
Roy Hodgson was given a guard of honour ahead of his last home fixture at Crystal Palace
Hodgson, 73, shook Mikel Arteta’s hand warmly before Palace faced Arsenal on Wednesday
The fixture marked the return of Palace supporters at the ground, and the thousands also joined in with applause and chants to celebrate Hodgson’s achievements and wish him well for the future.
A well-travelled Hodgson looked visibly emotional with the rapturous atmosphere, with the veteran coach unable to hide a rich smile while he walked between both teams and shared a handshake with Arteta.
Having helped to stabilise Palace over his four-year tenure, Hodgson departs on good terms with the club – and he refused to rule out returning to football after enjoying some time away.
An emotional Hodgson bid farewell to his boyhood club before his exit at the end of the season
Hodgson insisted that his decision is to ‘step away from the rigours’ of the top-flight, hinting at a comeback in the future.
He added: ‘To suddenly start making the bold statement about “retirement” and “this is the end of me in the world of football”… I really don’t know.
‘It’s a dangerous thing to do when you still feel good about yourself and still enjoy your life in football.
‘I’m stepping down from the club and away from football for a while. I still have a future I’m looking forward to, whether that be in football or elsewhere. It’s a never say never moment.’
A Palace supporter held aloft a scarf stating ‘In Roy We Trust’ with Hodgson stepping down
Palace and Arsenal players lined up before kick-off to show appreciation for veteran Hodgson
Hodgson told his Palace players of his final decision on Monday morning to help the club begin their planning for next season and beyond.
Palace had anticipated Hodgson’s exit and, as a result, were working on drawing up contingency plans for a possible replacement. They are yet to pick out a preferred candidate, however.
The names on their shortlist include Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard, Chris Wilder, Steve Cooper and Valerian Ismael.
