Roy Hodgson: I won’t play any part in Crystal Palace’s search for their next manager

Roy Hodgson will play no part in Crystal Palace’s search for his successor.

The Eagles confirmed earlier today that the hugely experienced manager, who turns 74 in August, will be stepping down from his role at the end of this season.

Palace are at home to Arsenal tomorrow before wrapping up their campaign at Liverpool on Sunday.

Asked if he would have any input when it came to the Eagles appointing a new boss, Hodgson replied: “No, I shall not have any advice and I will not be attempting to get in any consultation process.

“For me it is 100 per cent what Steve Parish [chairman] and his partners in America want to do. Doug Freedman will be charged with a lot of responsibility, and I can only wish them luck in that job.

“What sort of manager? I can answer that very simply, they need a good one. You need a good manager at Premier League clubs. I would not for one minute suggest that a manager’s importance is the same as the players, people pay to watch players, so let’s put them right up there where they belong.

“A good manager can help those players produce their best performances, where perhaps a bad manager is not able to do so.

“Many of Europe’s top managers are working in the Premier League and I’m rather hoping the club will find the man they want and will keep this club going in the direction that it has been going in the past eight years.”