Sad news: Roy Hodgson, crystal palace ex coach was confirmed dead this morning due to………..

Roy Hodgson stepped down as manager of Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace on Monday, just hours before their crucial clash with relegation rivals Everton.

The veteran former England boss, who had been under pressure due to the club’s poor form, was hospitalised after falling ill during a training session on Thursday amid reports he was to be sacked.

Palace have lost 10 of their past 16 league games and are 16th in the table, just five points above third-bottom Everton.

“I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer,” said Hodgson, 76.

Hodgson’s assistants, Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington, are set to take charge of the team for the Everton match.

Former Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner, who led the German club to Europa League glory in 2022, is the favourite to replace Hodgson on a permanent basis.

Hodgson’s final match as Palace boss was a 3-1 home defeat against Chelsea on February 12, a loss that came after a 4-1 embarrassment at arch-rivals Brighton.

The former Liverpool and Inter Milan boss returned for his second spell with Palace in March last year after previously managing the south London club from 2017 to 2021.

He signed a short-term deal to take over from Patrick Vieira, steering them away from relegation trouble and securing an 11th-place finish.

“I would like to thank Steve Parish and his American partners for their support. My thanks and respect also to the current squad of players who have been a pleasure to work with.

“I am confident that the season will finish well and I wish the team every success in the weeks, months and seasons to come.”

Hodgson’s largely successful reign turned sour this season, with fans criticising his dour football and handling of star winger Michael Oise, who limped off just 11 minutes after coming on as a substitute on his return from injury against Brighton.