Why a contract extension by Roy Hodgson is good for Crystal palace

According to The Telegraph, Roy Hodgson has extended his contract with Crystal Palace that would keep him at the club until the end of the 2020/21 campaign.

Hodgson, 72, started his managerial career with Halmstad in Sweden and went on to manage several teams including Inter Milan and Liverpool. He was also the manager of Sweden and England national teams earlier in his career and revolutionized Swedish football.

He was appointed as the manager of Crystal Palace in September 2017 after the Eagles sacked Frank de Boer, who could not manage to take Palace out of the relegation zone at that time. And Hodgson’s arrival saw them finish the 2017/18 season in 11^th position.

He followed it up with a 12th-place finish in the following season and has done a decent job in helping the Eagles stay in the Premier League as this is their longest spell in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, the London-based club have endured a mixed season so far. After a 7-match winless streak in the league, they are now on a 3-game winning streak.

Hodgson has done well so far, keeping them away from relegation, and his experience could be vital for the team for another year. He has been active for 44 years as a manager and can be helpful in creating a good atmosphere within the squad.

The 72-year-old made some important signings for the club in his tenure in the likes of Vincent Guaita, who has been in exceptional form for the Eagles. Cheikhou Kouyate is another signing who has been influential for the majority of the season under Hodgson. And Alexander Sorloth looks to be a future investment.

The former England manager also handed Aaron Wan-Bissaka his debut and the right-back has gone from strength-to-strength in the past year. And the manager is expected to help the club scale greater heights in the new season.

Read more

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• Why Crystal Palace must make a move for Brentford’s Ollie Watkins
• Why Crystal Palace must sign Nathan Ferguson in the summer

Verdict

Hodgson may not be a coach known for winning trophies in England but he has the knack of helping clubs grow, which is evident from the time he managed Fulham between 2007 and 2010 and helped them finish 7^th in the Premier League at the end of the 2008/09 season.

Therefore, Palace have made the best decision by extending the 72-year-old’s contract for one more year.