Roy Hodgson, who will turn 76 in August, will again coach Crystal Palace in the Premier League next season, the Eagles announced on Monday. The former England coach, who had coached the London club from 2017 to 2021, returned last March after the dismissal of Patrick Vieira, when the team was only three points ahead of the red zone.

Under Hodgson, Palace won five matches, drawing three and losing three, eventually finishing in a comfortable 11th place. “I am immensely delighted and proud to extend to Crystal Palace,” commented the veteran coach on the club’s website. “I know what a fantastic squad we have here. It’s a great mix of youth and potential, alongside experienced players,” he said, setting “a place in the top half of the standings,” which would be the first since 2015, as a goal.