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Roy Hodgson returns from retirement in a bid to help Crystal Palace in their battle against relegation

After Palace fired Patrick Vieira last week, Roy Hodgson returns to lead his boyhood club for a second time.

Roy Hodgson has come out of retirement in a bid to save Crystal Palace from relegation in the English Premier League.

The Eagles sit bottom of the Premier League form table having picked up just five points from their last 12 games and have not won since December 31.

Days after Patrick Vieira’s sacking, interim boss Paddy McCarthy saw his side dispatched 4-1 by leaders Arsenal on Sunday to leave Palace three points above the relegation zone in 12th.

Roy Hudgson, 75 years old returned to Selhurst Park to replace Patrick Vieira, less than two years after the Arsenal legend was brought in to move the club forward from the former England boss’ four-year tenure.

Earlier, Hodgson insisted he would not return to the club management after a brief spell at Watford last season, however, he now agreed a deal until the end of the season.

“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”, the former England boss said in a club statement.

“Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.

“Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit, and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us, beginning with the visit of Leicester City a week Saturday.”

The Chairman of the club, Steve Parish added, “I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club.

“We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”

It will be Hodgson’s second spell in the Selhurst Park hotseat after keeping the Eagles in the top flight from the 2017-18 season to the end of the 2020-21 campaign before stepping down from his role to be replaced by Vieira.

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