Crystal Palace next manager: Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui decisions made – sources
Crystal Palace are having trouble finding a replacement for under-fire boss Roy Hodgson
Crystal Palace are still keen to see either Steve Cooper or Julen Lopetegui replace Roy Hodgson as manager, sources have told Football Insider.
As revealed by Football Insider (9 February), Palace chiefs do not currently want to sack the former England boss but could let him go if results continue to slump and they get dragged into a relegation fight.
However, they have been scouting replacements for the veteran boss and have placed the former Nottingham Forest and Wolves bosses at the top of their list.
Well-placed sources have told Football Insider that neither of the out-of-work managers wants to move to the south London club with the team so close to the relegation zone.
Regardless, it is believed that the pair are attracted to the quality of the Eagles’ squad, which can boast stars such as Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi.
Hodgson has faced major scrutiny in recent months amid his side’s lacklustre form, with the 76-year-old managing just two wins in his last 10 games in all competitions.
He will depart the club after his second stint in charge at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Cooper was let go by Forest in December and Palace had reportedly eyed him up as Patrick Vieria’s replacement when the Eagles sacked him last season.
Lopetegui opted to leave Wolves just before the start of the new season after less than a year in the dugout.
Crystal Palace sit 14th in the Premier League table after their loss to Brighton at the Amex.
They are next in action against Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Monday night (12 February).
In other news, Sources: Crystal Palace pulled plug on deadline-day signing after ‘deal agreed’.
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