LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: A general view of Selhurst Park prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Crystal Palace and Hertha BSC Berlin at Selhurst Park on August 3, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has fallen ill and will miss Saturday’s game.
Crystal Palace face Aston Villa in one of the Saturday afternoon kickoffs, although the Eagles will be without manager Roy Hodgson.
Because, according to the Crystal Palace website, the former England manager has fallen unwell.
As a result, matchday duties appear to have been assigned to Paddy McCarthy, who will be aided by Ray Lewington.
At this point, it is unclear what the health issue is, though Hodgson’s advanced years – he is the English Premier League’s elder statesman at 76 – may have something to do with it.
Given how brilliantly the Eagles have started the season, the players will almost certainly want to put on a display at Villa Park to give their manager a lift.
Despite losing their talisman, Wilfried Zaha, in the summer, Palace have kept hold of their other big players, including Michael Olise, who was considered to be on his way to Chelsea at one stage.
Whatever the outcome of Saturday’s game, the worst thing that Hodgson himself can do is rush back.
He needs to take as much time as necessary to recover, and if it turns out that the issue is stress related, then he may have to accept that his time as a top football manager is over.
