Wayne Veysey

Thu 21 December 2023 7:00, UK

Steve Cooper is at the top of Crystal Palace’s manager shortlist and could now be approached by the Croydon club, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Wednesday (20 December) that current Palace manager Roy Hodgson could leave his post amicably in the near future.

Hodgson, 76, was handed a one-year contract extension in the off-season after Cooper rejected the chance to succeed the ex-England boss.

But the Welshman has now been dismissed by Nottingham Forest and is set to be approached by Palace and chairman Steve Parish once again.

The Eagles would not need to pay any compensation for Cooper – who was sacked on Tuesday (20 December) after a frosty relationship with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis came to a head.

He had won just one of his last 13 Premier League games and left the Midlands club 17th in the table with 17 games played.

Cooper has been replaced by ex-Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo, who has signed a contract running until June 2026.

Hodgson returned to Palace at the end of last season to succeed Patrick Vieira and stave off the threat of relegation – and was subsequently handed a deal running until the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

But it is believed he is disillusioned with several rule changes and the impact of VAR on Premier League football and could now retire from management once again.

Palace are without a win in their last six Premier League games and sit 15th in the table.

Espirito Santo will take charge of his first Forest game against Bournemouth on Saturday (23 December), while Hodgson is expected to remain in charge when Palace face Brighton on Thursday (21 December).

In other news, Crystal Palace make move to sign teen goal machine.