Crystal Palace have announced the appointment of former coach Roy Hodgson as the new manager of the first team until the end of the current season. 

Hodgson replaced Patrick Vieira, who was sacked last week following the abysmal performance of the club on the pitch.

The Eagles sacked Vieira after 18 months in charge of the club. “Roy Hodgson has been appointed manager of Crystal Palace FC until the end of the season,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

The 75-year-old managed Crystal Palace, his boyhood club, between September 2017 and May 2021. 

1_GettyImages-1248552516.jpgCrystal Palace also announced that Paddy McCarthy would take over as Hodgson’s assistant manager, with Ray Lewington returning as a first-team coach. Dean Kiely will remain in his position as goalkeeping coach.

On his return as the new manager of the club, Hodgson said, “It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around.”

He added, “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.” The former Watford manager’s second reign will be on April 1 when Crystal Palace host Leicester City in their next EPL match after the international break as the Eagles continue their search for their first league win of the year and fight to stay in the top-flight division.