Crystal Palace are said to be eyeing up a move for Steve Cooper as they wait for Roy Hodgson’s departure before they make a move.
It has been a tough few weeks for Crystal Palace which has seen their form slump and fans become agitated.
This was all brought to a head this weekend as Arsenal smashed Roy Hodgson’s side for five at The Emirates.
The Eagles lined up in a starting XI which was clearly looking to defend and frustrate the home side but it did anything but.
This defeat was their sixth in the Premier League since their last win and this has been added to by three draws. Now they occupy 15th in the league table and are five points off the bottom three, according to FotMob.
With all that being said, there have now been calls to replace Hodgson with two names being rumoured recently.
Will Steve Cooper to replace Roy Hodgson at Palace?
It is safe to say, for all the good he has done with the club, fans are starting to turn on Hodgson and think his time is up. As a result, a younger and more modern manager is in demand right now.
There have been some good times in the past year and there are elements of his football that work. Looking at the Manchester City draw, the low block was a success. Although, when it doesn’t work it is very frustrating.
Now a report by Rahman Osman has suggested that Steve Cooper and potentially, Graham Potter are being considered.
In a report for LondonWorld, he said: “Ex-Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper is leading the race to replace Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace when he leaves the club, LondonWorld has been told.
“Been told Steve Cooper is the man being considered if Palace decided to change a manager. Graham Potter not being looked at due to his Brighton connection.”
This would have fans believe that Cooper is the front-runner for the job with the Eagles. It is true that Potter’s Brighton links may have made things difficult to begin with.
Fans growing tired over Hodgson
There are calls suggesting that Hodgson should leave sooner rather than later, but it doesn’t look like this will be the case.
In the same report, Osman has suggested that there is a date in which the Palace board will look to change coach.
On that: “LondonWorld sources say the Crystal Palace board ideally would want to wait until the summer when Hodgson’s contract expires before deciding on who takes over from the veteran manager.
“But that resolve is now expected to be tested in the coming days with performances continuing to slump and defeats piling up.”
This process may be sped up should the form continue to plummet. Given that they are out in both cup competitions and are looking at a relegation battle, this wouldn’t be a surprise.
Given the work that he did with Nottingham Forest, fans can get excited about the incoming Cooper and his footballing philosophy.
