Crystal Palace are reportedly weighing up their managerial options to succeed Roy Hodgson at the end of the season, with England boss Gareth Southgate believed to be one target.
The future looks to be uncertain in the managerial area at Crystal Palace, as Roy Hodgson’s position comes increasingly under threat due to his side’s lack of form this season.
Having won just six of their 23 Premier League games this campaign, the Eagles sit down in 15th, just five points above the relegation zone.
Tensions hit a new high after the 4-1 defeat to Brighton in their previous fixture, seeing the frustrations of the fans spill out to those on the pitch, the manager and most prominently, the board.
News surrounding Palace recently has been the next step to inspiring some progression at Selhurst Park, with a host of candidates said to have been identified as Hodgson’s successor as Steve Parish has ‘strongly contemplated’ dismissing the 76-year-old.
As reported last week, there is some belief that the Palace co-owner is against sacking the manager at this point of the 2023/24 calendar, with it more likely that the veteran coach will depart at the end of the campaign.
Gareth Southgate identified as a shock candidate for Crystal Palace manager
A product of Crystal Palace’s academy, the hiring of England manager Gareth Southgate is said to be a ‘possibility’, with the Eagles weighing up a new manager to take over in the summer.
As reported by The Sun’s Alan Nixon, it’s hoped that Hodgson can generate some form with the current squad in order to avoid the dilemma of making a managerial switch at such a crucial part of the season.
The Sun named Southgate as one shock candidate that Parish is fond of to succeed the 76-year-old, in a bold move that could see the 53-year-old take the reins at his former club after England’s European Championship challenge.
Southgate’s contract as the manager of the Three Lions is set to expire in December, making the possibility of a career move more likely.
Gareth Southgate isn’t the only managerial target at Crystal Palace
The Sun’s report also mentions an array of other candidates that Parish is said to be fond of, with one including former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper.
It’s claimed that the Palace co-owner is ‘swaying towards’ a move for the Welshman, although the consensus is that the club would prefer to wait until the summer to weigh up their options to ensure a long-term solution can be identified.
Lille manager Paulo Fonesca is also mentioned in the report as being a figure admired by Parish, as well as former Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui.
With the connection to Palace already there, the prospect of hiring Southgate after his endeavours with England could be a positive step to rekindling the connection between the board and the fans.
