Roy Hodgson has resigned as Crystal Palace manager days after falling ill at the club’s training ground amid rumours he was about to be sacked.

The south London side are 16th in the Premier League, five points above the relegation zone.

In a statement, Hodgson, 76, said: “This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life.

“I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top class players and staff doing what I love every day.

“However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead.”

He said he had decided to “step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager”.

Hodgson was taken ill last week, but chairman Steve Parish said on Monday he was now out of hospital and “doing well”.

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Fans had been voicing their frustration with banners calling for Hodgson’s dismissal and venting about how the club was being run.

Austrian manager and ex-Eintracht Frankfurt boss Oliver Glasner is strongly tipped to be his replacement.

Parish paid tribute to Hodgson and said he had a “special place in Crystal Palace history”.

“After four years in which he led the club to maintaining Premier League status season after season, he once again joined us nearly a year ago to steady the ship, and worked wonders,” said Parish.

Hodgson – who also used to manage England and Liverpool – was the Premier League’s oldest manager and was in his second stint as Palace boss.

He was brought back last March to replace his own successor, Patrick Vieira, and managed to turn things around and easily keep them in the Premier League.

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They ended up 11th, but this season has been a different story with just six wins from 24 games.

Assistant manager Paddy McCarthy and first team coach Ray Lewington will lead Crystal Palace for Monday’s away match against Everton.

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