CRYSTAL PALACE players were left “distressed” after manager Roy Hodgson fell ill during a training session on Thursday.
Hodgson, 76, suffered the health scare in full view of his squad and colleagues, according to the Daily Mail.
Players and staff members were left “visibly shaken” as a result.
The manager was taken ill just one hour before he was scheduled to face the press.
His pre-match press conference ahead of Monday’s trip to Everton was subsequently cancelled, with an official club statement reading: “Unfortunately, today’s press conference will no longer take place as scheduled as Roy Hodgson was taken ill during this morning’s training session.”
An additional statement from Crystal Palace, published just before 5pm on Thursday evening, read: “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.
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“Everybody at the club sends their best wishes to Roy for a speedy recovery.”
Coach Paddy McCarthy took charge for the rest of the training session and is expected to be in the dugout alongside Ray Lewington at Goodison Park on Monday night.
Hodgson is now expected to step aside from his position, with Oliver Glasner set to replace him as Crystal Palace manager.
Palace chiefs were close to confirming Glasner’s arrival before Hodgson’s health scare but an official announcement is yet to be made.
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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sent a touching message to Hodgson during his pre-match press conference on Friday morning.
He said: “I don’t know the exact details, hopefully he is feeling much better.
“If that’s the case, and knowing Roy, I think he will be in tomorrow – because he loves it so much. But we all got really worried with the situation and hopefully he is fine.”
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has also wished Hodgson well.
He said: “It is a weird sort of occupation we have. There are not many where people pretty much dictate or try a create a narrative where you are pretty much finished and also putting up your replacement.
“Roy is still in the position, but that is the way of the world nowadays. I guess we sign up for it, so everyone kind of expects it.
“But I don’t think it diminishes Roy’s standing in the game in any way and above all hopefully he bounces back quickly.”
And West Ham manager David Moyes said: “I am hearing he is fine by what I have heard, so I am hoping that is the case.
“I have always said I don’t know if I want to be working at Roy’s age, that’s for sure, but he is someone who loves the game and his longevity has been incredible in football.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
