Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has been linked with Crystal Palace in recent weeks, and has now been dismissed from his role.
Cooper took over Forest in September 2021, with the side bottom of the Championship. He then performed a miracle by guiding them to promotion in the same season.
Forest then spent heavily in back-to-back summers, after Cooper helped them stay in the Premier League last season, but a poor run of form has meant that Forest are taking an unpopular decision to let him go in favour of former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson has been under increasing pressure in recent weeks, after a run of just one win in eight games, but the last two performances against Liverpool and Manchester City have both been very encouraging.
Steve Cooper admired by Crystal Palace
A report from The Telegraph has now confirmed that Cooper is being admired by Crystal Palace for a potential move, and a significant detail has emerged which may make him even more appealing to Steve Parish.
Parish is said to be a “big fan” of Cooper, and it remains to be seen whether he will make a move for him now or wait until the end of the season.
Because Cooper was sacked by Forest, rather than stepping down himself, him being out of a role with no gardening leave means that not only is he available immediately, but Palace will not have to pay any compensation for him.
This means that, if the club decide to dismiss Hodgson, Cooper can come straight in with no extra financial cost to Palace, and this may make him even more appealing to Parish.
Steve Cooper would be a strong appointment for Crystal Palace
It is clear that whilst Palace’s squad certainly needs reinforcement, there is more to be gained out of the young players available to Hodgson, and a manager like Cooper could be perfect to unlock the full potential of these talents.
The likes of David Ozoh, Naouirou Ahamada and Matheus Franca have found themselves on the fringes under Hodgson, and a fresh, long-term approach with Cooper may be the best way forward for Palace.
Cooper made himself a Forest legend within two years, with fans fully buying into his project, whilst he embraced the history and traditions of the club well, and he could be an excellent figurehead for Palace as they aim to dig themselves out of a malaise which has set in over the past few years.
