Roy Hodgson ‘stable’ in hospital after being taken ill amid Crystal Palace sack rumours

Hodgson was initially taken ill during training, while reports suggest Palace are set to sack the 76-year-old and replace him with Oliver Glasner

Roy Hodgson was taken ill during training (Action Images via Reuters)

Crystal Palace cancelled a press conference to preview Monday’s Premier League game against Everton after under-pressure manager Roy Hodgson was taken ill during training.

The 76-year-old former England boss was due to speak at 1.30pm on Thursday but members of the media waiting outside the club’s New Beckenham training ground were informed the briefing would not take place.

According to reports, Palace are set to sack Hodgson, with ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner a strong favourite to take the job.

An update from the club read: “Unfortunately, today’s press conference will no longer take place as scheduled as Roy Hodgson was taken ill during this morning’s training session.”

Later in the day, the Eagles confirmed that Hodgson was in a stable condition and undergoing further tests to diagnose the problem.

A club statement said: “Following news that Roy Hodgson was taken ill during today’s training session, we can confirm that he is now stable and is currently undergoing tests in hospital. Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery.”

Palace have sunk to 15th in the league table after a run of just two wins since 4 November, with the clash against the Toffees being a high-stakes game around the edge of the relegation zone.

Hodgson returned almost a year ago as Palace boss, replacing the sacked Patrick Vieira, and was given another one-year extension to his deal in the summer. He took charge of his 200th match as Eagles manager on Monday when his side were beaten 3-1 at Selhurst Park by Chelsea.

Oliver Glasner is supposedly being lined up to replace Hodgson (AP)

Palace have won just six of 24 league fixtures this term, with only three of those victories coming since a 1-0 success at Manchester United in September. Disgruntled fans have displayed banners in recent weeks calling for Hodgson to be sacked and vented frustration with how the club is being run.

Austrian boss Glasner spent four years at LASK after his first club, SV Ried, followed by two years in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and a further two seasons with Eintracht.

He guided Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022 following a penalty shoot-out victory over Rangers in Seville but the 49-year-old departed last summer after reaching, and losing, the German Cup final and has been out of work since.

Additional reporting by PA