Crystal Palace confirm Roy Hodgson will leave club at end of season with final game at Anfield against Liverpool – and ex-Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is favourite for job at Selhurst Park

Roy Hodgson will leave his role as Crystal Palace boss at the end of the season and will not manage in the Premier League again.

The veteran boss has preserved the Eagles' Premier League status in every season since arriving in 2017.

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Hodgson, 73, will lead Palace out at Selhurst Park for the last time on Wednesday for the visit of Arsenal.

His final game at the helm will then be against Liverpool, one of his former clubs, at Anfield on Sunday.

Former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Hodgson.

Lampard, who was sacked by Chelsea in January after 18 months in charge, fits the type of profile - young, hungry and with a point to prove - Palace appear to be chasing.

Explaining his impending Palace departure, Hodgson said: “After more than 45 years of coaching I have decided that the time is right for me to step away from the rigours of top-flight Premier League football, so our final two matches will be my last ones as manager of Crystal Palace.

“It’s been a particularly rewarding period of my football life and career to have been able to spend these last four seasons with Palace.

“I feel now that at the end of another successful season, in which we have secured our Premier League status, the moment is right for me to step down from my responsibilities of being a full-time manager.

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“I have had so much support from my wife and family throughout my career and I have been contemplating this decision for some time, and now I believe the time is right to consider them and to see what the future holds for me.  

“I have really enjoyed my time at Palace, I have been privileged to work with an outstanding group of professional and dedicated players, most of whom have been with me throughout the four years.

“A manager is only as good as the players who perform on the pitch. I have been fortunate that those in my charge have certainly given me that and I thank them for it.

“I am sure I speak for all the players, my coaching staff and backroom team, when I say I am proud of the work we have done together to retain our Premier League status during this time.

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“I would also like to thank our Chairman Steve Parish, his partners David Blitzer and Josh Harris and Sporting Director Dougie Freedman for all their support over the years. 

“They gave me an opportunity to return to my hometown club and I have always felt we were singing from the same hymn sheet in trying to achieve our joint goals.

“I can only wish them all the very best of luck for a successful future and I am convinced that the club will go from strength to strength.”   

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish voiced his appreciation for Hodgson on social media.

He wrote: "It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work alongside Roy, who is both a magnificent human and an outstanding football manager.

“Not a week went by where I didn’t learn something from him. I’m delighted we will be able to give him the send he deserves tomorrow.”

Hodgson's incredible career saw him take managerial jobs in England, Sweden, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, and the United Arab Emirates.

And his final game will come against former club Liverpool, at Anfield, where he had a six-month spell in 2010, with Hodgson bowing out of top-level management.

The Croydon native has virtually been in work since he first accepted the job at Halmstad in 1976 and enjoyed plenty of success in the ensuring years.

Seven Allsvenskan titles were won during his trophy-laden stint in Sweden, five with Malmo, and international recognition followed when he guided Switzerland to USA 94 and Euro 96, their first two major tournaments since the 1996 World Cup.

After a rebuilding job with Inter Milan and further league championship glory with Copenhagen, Fulham offered Hodgson the chance to boost his reputation in England in 2007 and he enjoyed a memorable three years at Craven Cottage.

While the Liverpool job proved a low point, another successful survival battle at West Brom allowed the Londoner the opportunity to manage his country, but a respectable showing at Euro 2012 was soon forgotten when England suffered a painful World Cup group stage exit in Brazil two years later.

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Hodgson again turned the tide and the introduction of several youngsters and a 100 per cent qualification campaign lifted spirits before Euro 2016, but a shock 2-1 loss to Iceland ensured the experienced boss left the international stage in embarrassing circumstances.

It was expected to be Hodgson's last role in management but, tempted back into work by his boyhood club, the 73-year-old has brought stability to Selhurst Park and will depart Palace with the record of being the oldest person to ever manage in the Premier League.