Former Liverpool and Fulham man makes Roy Hodgson admission after his Crystal Palace return

Roy Hodgson is back at Crystal Palace for a second time after succeeding Patrick Vieira in the Selhurst Park hotseat, with the Eagles having ten games left in the season

Danny Murphy says he can’t help but feel nervous for his former manager Roy Hodgson after his return to Crystal Palace.

However, the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder says Palace have given themselves a better chance of staying up under Hodgson than they had under Patrick Vieira.

Hodgson has returned for a second spell in charge of the Eagles after agreeing a short-term deal until the end of the season, succeeding Vieira in the Selhurst Park hotseat after Palace parted company with the Frenchman last week.

The 75-year-old takes over a team currently without a win in 2023, with Palace just three points above the relegation zone after a poor run of form in the Premier League.

But Murphy feels that Hodgson will be able to keep them in the league, even though he admits that he does have some mixed feelings about seeing his former manager back in the top flight.

In a column for the Mail Online, the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder said: “Crystal Palace have a better chance of staying up under Roy Hodgson than they did Patrick Vieira, but I still can’t help feeling nervous for my former manager.

“When I heard he was returning to football at the age of 75, my first reaction was I wish he hadn’t. I care about him too much and have too much respect to wish a second consecutive relegation, having failed to save Watford last season.

“Palace lost their way under Vieira, the team playing without zip or belief towards the end, but I think Roy will keep them up, although his first game at home to Leicester on Saturday is a real six-pointer.

“I love the way Roy goes about his work and understand Palace was hard to turn down, but I do think: ‘Why put yourself through it?’ I don’t want his legacy tarnished.”