- Crystal Palace are reportedly weighing up who to hire as their next manager
- Roy Hodgson is under pressure after a poor run of form this season
- Neal Maupay should be EMBARRASSED by his behavior…who will he end up with this weekend? Listen to the Podcast Everything is beginning
Crystal Palace have identified former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper and England manager Gareth Southgate as potential long-term replacements for Roy Hodgson, according to reports.
Hodgson, 76, has endured a difficult season in the dugout which started brightly but has since faded with Palace falling to within five points of the relegation zone with recent thrashings against Arsenal and Brighton.
A win against Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Monday night would alleviate some of the discontent among sections of the club’s fan base who want to see Hodgson replaced and Palace have begun to identify potential successors, as reported Sun.
Cooper has been out of a job since being sacked by Nottingham Forest in December and replaced by former Wolves and Tottenham head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
However, he is expected to remain in the Premier League and is a viable long-term option being considered at Palace as the club want to avoid hiring another manager on a short-term basis.
Crystal Palace have started identifying replacements for Roy Hodgson, according to reports
Former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper is one of the names under consideration.
Palace could also try to bring English manager Gareth Southgate to the club
Palace chairman Steve Parish admires the 44-year-old, although the club would prefer to wait until the summer to hire a new manager rather than do so mid-season.
England manager Southgate is also being considered but is seen as a less realistic appointment given his commitment to the national team.
He could be available after this year’s European Championship in Germany and has previously been touted for a spell with a Premier League team with his only other club management experience coming at Middlesbrough.
However, the FA are willing to try to extend his stay in charge of the Three Lions regardless of England’s performance in the next major tournament.
Palace have also maintained a long-standing interest in Portuguese manager Paulo Fonseca and were previously interested in bringing him to Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace are currently just five points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.
Lille coach Paulo Fonseca is another candidate being considered at Selhurst Park
Fonseca is currently in charge of French side Lille after joining two years ago and it has been suggested that he will leave the team at the end of the season if a Premier League vacancy arises.
Meanwhile, Palace fans are likely to express their frustration again on Monday night as calls for an immediate change in the dugout continue to grow.
Hodgson returned to Palace last season and completed his task of steering the club clear of relegation, in impressive style.
However, there has been public frustration from sections of the team’s fan base this campaign after Hodgson extended his stay at the club in the summer for the current season.
