James Tomkins has paid tribute to Roy Hodgson ahead of the manager’s 100th game at Crystal Palace.
Hodgson, 72, leads his side into the derby with Brighton on Monday sitting in 10th after a fine start to the season.
The former England boss, who joined in September 2017, is aiming to secure Palace’s place in the the top division for a third straight season.
His contract is due for renewal next summer and centre half Tomkins says he would be happy to see Hodgson sign.
“Yeah for sure, I’ve really enjoyed playing under him,” said the ex-West Ham defender. “He’s brilliant. I played for a few managers and it’s hard for them to manage players that are not playing and manage players that are playing. The gaffer here has got a great way of managing to do that.
“He’s a lovely man as well when you speak with him off the pitch and he’s got some great stories because of his experience.
“He’s a respectable man and everyone respects him around the place and are interested in what he’s got to say. He’s a massive part of how well we’ve been doing.
“Wherever he’s been, he’s done pretty well and he’s come to Palace and given us a foundation to work from and really steadied the ship.
“He’s been our manager for a few years now and it’s nice to have that stability. He’s a guy I can’t say enough about and it’s not just him but the people with him: Ray Lewington, Dean Kiely and Redders as well.”
When asked if he ever brings out the Alex Ferguson-style ‘hairdryer’ treatment, Tomkins told Premier League Productions: “He has his moments, when at half-time or at the end of the game if he feels we could have done better.
“He has high expectations of us, as we do ourselves, but I wouldn’t call it a hairdryer treatment. He can also be a calm influence in the changing room, there’s a bit of both which balances it out well.”