Crystal Palace are going to be in the market for a new manager this year whether they ultimately sack Roy Hodgson or not.
Roy Hodgson is leaving Crystal Palace this year whether through retirement come May, or through Steve Parish letting him go early if this poor run continues.
So either way, in the next few months Palace will be talking with new managers and trying to convince them to come to Selhurst Park.
So with that in mind, here are six managers we think would be excellent options – all with varying levels of likelihood and being options for different reasons.
Jose Mourinho
The first name to make the list is multiple-time Champions League-winning coach Jose Mourinho. ‘The Special One’ is looking for his latest role after being let go by Roma earlier this year and this could be Palace’s chance to grab him.
Mourinho has previously spoken about the ‘fantastic‘ Palace fanbase and would be an instant hit at the club. The Mirror supported this in 2015 claiming the Portuguese coach ‘loves Palace’.
While not as glamorous a manager as he maybe once was, he’d be a massive coup for the Eagles and a real statement which could be the start of the club rising through the ranks. He’s also a global name so it’d have commercial benefits as well as on the pitch.
Michael Carrick
The second name on the list is a man who won the Champions League as a player and is now impressing with what is a fairly poor Championship side, Michael Carrick.
Taking over while Boro were struggling, he’s overseen a revolution at the club and has them performing well above their level right now.
Carrick has been linked with Palace already this year and therefore he’s probably in consideration. A very exciting young English manager who’d be ideal for this Palace team who are brimming with young talents.
Steve Cooper
Probably the man fans want to see arriving at the club the most is Steve Cooper, who’s a fan favourite to take over from Hodgson.
Cooper was sacked by Nottingham Forest in December and has been consistently linked with Palace since then and for good reason with his talents well known.
Like Carrick, Cooper is a manager who’d suit the current squad and at Forest, he was hard done by with the crazy recruitment and ownership situation there definitely impacting his ability to manage the team.
Julen Lopetegui
The next option is former Wolves and Real Madrid boss Julen Lopetegui who’s still looking for work after leaving Molineux in August.
The Spaniard is an option we aren’t so fond of, with his performance at Wolves being shown up by Gary O’Neil. But this isn’t why, rather it’s the fact that he bailed on Wolves when they were in a precarious position.
At Palace, he’d definitely get frustrated at times and therefore if he quits at a hurdle then he’s not the right fit for Palace at all and therefore we view him as unlikely.
Graham Potter
Graham Potter is probably the best free manager right now who’s on the market and he could be a phenomenal appointment for Palace.
Although he represents a risk, after his shambolic Chelsea displays and the fact he made his name at Brighton – most of which will be down to the fact their recruitment is ace.
Potter could, however – if the club structure and recruitment are working well – absolutely thrive at the chance to once more take charge at a midtable side. He has the ability to transform the likes of Adam Wharton and Naouirou Ahamada into world-class players.
Russell Martin
A name which is slightly left-field but Southampton boss Russell Martin is currently having a brilliant time at the helm of the Saints.
After a slow start, he’s unbeaten in 22 games and sits 2nd in the league behind the unstoppable Leicester City. But if for some reason Southampton weren’t to get promoted, he could be on a few Premier League side’s lists.
Martin idealises possession and high-tempo football and therefore Palace fans would love his style and the players would as well. Not a name that’s top of the list but should be considered none-the-less.
