‘Leave the options totally open’ – Palace boss Hodgson on managerial future as season closes to an end

Roy Hodgson says he is leaving his options “totally open” as he enters the final three games of his spell as Crystal Palace boss.

The 75-year-old replaced Patrick Vieira in March and has won four of his seven games in charge of the Eagles, leading the club to safety following last weekend’s round of Premier League matches.

Croydon-born Hodgson has taken charge of England, Switzerland, Malmo, Liverpool, Inter Milan, Fulham and West Brom during his career.

Palace take on Bournemouth tomorrow at Selhurst Park and can still equal their Premier League record points total, 49, this season.

“The one thing I’m not going to do is mention retirement,” said Hodgson, when asked about his plans going forward in football management.

“I don’t think I did the first time, really – I tried not to. 

“But it became assumed that when I left Crystal Palace and didn’t look for another job, that I was retired.

“But I’m certainly not going to make that mistake again. As when I went to Watford, the talk was: ‘He came out of retirement.’

“I do that [Watford], and then that finishes, and then I come out of retirement, retirement. 

“I don’t want to come out of retirement, retirement, retirement. I will leave the options totally open. Who knows what will happen?

“I’m enjoying life at the moment. All the time I feel capable of working, I will consider offers that will come my way. 

“I don’t have an agent actively seeking work for me.”