Roy Hodgson has been tipped to remain at Crystal Palace in a new capacity this summer...

What's the word?

The 73-year-old veteran is out of contract at the end of the season after four years at the helm and is yet to make a public decision on his immediate future.

Back in February, Hodgson claimed to be "undecided" over whether or not he would remain at Selhurst Park past the current campaign but last month he hinted that a decision was close.

Former Eagles striker Marcus Bent has now backed the former England manager to take up a Director of Football role, should his managerial career not continue further.

Speaking exclusively to This is Futbol, he said:

"It would be good to have someone like that at your club that knows the ins and outs of the game. The fans would still adore him and whoever takes charge might need a word in his ear and some advice."

Recipe for disaster

Hodgson has been in the coaching game for a vast 45 years, managing the likes of Inter Milan, Liverpool and West Brom but was involved as an advisor to A-League outfit Melbourne City prior to his arrival in southeast London, so the prospect of him moving upstairs isn't out of the realms of possibility.

He is the oldest person to have ever managed in the Premier League and he's done a pretty respectable job with the Eagles now an established top-flight outfit.

However, recently in the transfer market, Palace have made moves to refresh the playing squad with younger talent and some fans feel the same is needed in the dugout.

Well-known Eagles supporter Kevin Day, who writes scripts for Match of the Day 2 and is part of 'The Price of Football' podcast, claimed he "wouldn't be upset" if this was Hodsgon's final swansong and urged the club to play "more positive, attacking football."

As evident above, there is a desire to see a better brand of football at Selhurst Park, especially if they continue to invest in their long-term future on the pitch following the arrival of Eberechi Eze and the emergence of players like Tyrick Mitchell.

Keeping Hodgson around would mean he still has some influence on the side and that won't please many in southeast London.

A director of football would have a big say in transfers but Eze is just one exception to his usual signings, think Gary Cahill or James McCarthy.

If Palace are to move on from Hodgson, then it's time to move on fully rather than moving him upstairs, especially as any new manager will be wanting to stamp down his own mark.

Having a second influence could well be a recipe for disaster, so Parish must avoid Bent's suggestion this summer.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace dealt huge blow over potential Hodgson successor, Parish will be gutted...