The 73-year-old has spent more than 45 years coaching and has overseen top-flight stability at his boyhood club since taking over Palace in September 2017; watch Liverpool vs Crystal Palace live on Sky Sports Main Event from 3:50pm on Sunday (kick-off 4pm).
Friday 21 May 2021 16:28, UK
Roy Hodgson has admitted Sunday will be an emotional day for him as he prepares to step down as Crystal Palace manager after nearly four years in charge.
In total, the 73-year-old has spent more than 45 years coaching, starting out as a manager in 1976 with Halmstad in Sweden, and has overseen top-flight stability at his boyhood club since taking over Palace in September 2017.
On his imminent departure, Roy Hodgson said: "There have been so many touching gestures that I have experienced these last couple of days.
"There's no doubt that my departure from Crystal Palace, the way it's been handled and the way people have reacted to it, will live very long in the memory.
"I could not have expected it to be as good as it's been, I've been humbled by it.
"It's nice to know when you step aside from Palace after four years, and maybe even step aside from football after 45-and-a-half years, that you've been appreciated for what you've done in the game. I'm really proud of that."
Hodgson was given a guard of honour by both Palace and Arsenal teams on Wednesday after his departure was announced the previous day and he will take his final bow at former club Liverpool with the fourth-placed Reds aiming to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.
"We might not get out of Anfield if we win, that could be the only problem," Hodgson said ahead of the Premier League game.
"We might be locked in the dressing room for a good while. But we are an honest bunch here, there's no doubting that.
"I don't know if we can be good enough to go up to Anfield and win, but I do know that whatever 11 players put that Crystal Palace shirt on they will be busting a gut to win."
Hodgson also promised Eberechi Eze has a "bright future" after revealing he has spoken to the Crystal Palace playmaker in length following his serious Achilles injury.
Eze has been one of the standout performers of Hodgson's final season in charge at Selhurst Park, but the 22-year-old faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a training-ground injury earlier this week.
"I had a long chat with him this morning," Hodgson said ahead of his Palace farewell at former club Liverpool on Sunday.
"We were concerned of course when that (injury) happens after such a good season, a first season.
"The world couldn't have been better or rosier when that injury occurred. One is then concerned that is going to have a catastrophic effect on the player himself.
"But I've been very impressed by his resilience and mental approach to the subject.
"He will recover and will recover quicker than is normally possible to recover. In the meantime he's going to have to accept that these tests of his mental capacity are part and parcel of football.
"He's learnt so early on and he has got a bright future, this young man. He will get over it and come back stronger."
The race for a top-four finish in the Premier League will go to the wire, with seven games live on Sky Sports on the final day of the season.
Chelsea climbed up to third and dented Leicester's prospects of Champions League football with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, and Liverpool took advantage on Wednesday, leapfrogging the Foxes with a 3-0 win over Burnley to take control of their fate.
Just one point and goal difference separate three sides heading into Sunday's finale - and you can follow all the drama with Sky Sports.
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace, Leicester vs Tottenham and Aston Villa vs Chelsea will all be live on Sky Sports channels as the season reaches its climax and the Sky Sports cameras will also be at the Etihad to see champions Manchester City lift the trophy after taking on Everton.
All games kick off at 4pm on Sunday May 23:
Man City vs Everton - live on Sky Sports Premier League from 3pm
Liverpool vs Crystal Palace - live on Sky Sports Main Event from 3.50pm
Leicester vs Tottenham - live on Sky Sports Football from 3.50pm
Aston Villa vs Chelsea - live on Sky Sports Action from 3.50pm
West Ham vs Southampton - live on Sky One from 3pm
Arsenal vs Brighton - live on Sky Sports Arena from 3.50pm
Fulham vs Newcastle - live on Sky Sports Mix from 3.50pm
- All games will be available on the Red Button on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event.
