After eight games without a win, Roy Hodgson’s position as Crystal Palace manager is under increasing pressure, with Steve Cooper in the running to replace the former England manager, who was fired by Nottingham Forest earlier this month.
Hodgson, who was seen spitting on the ground in frustration as he made his way down the tunnel after Palace conceded a late penalty to lose to Chelsea on Wednesday, is said to be under increasing scrutiny from the club’s chairman Steve Parish after the club’s recent slide down the table. Palace are only three points above of Luton Town in the relegation zone, despite having played one fewer game.
Palace face Brentford at Selhurst Park on Saturday with Hodgson aware that his job is on the line despite his triumphant return to the club last season when he replaced Patrick Vieira after a 12-match winless run and guided Palace to 11th place. Cooper is believed to be available without having to pay compensation to Forest, with Parish having spoken to the former England Under-17 manager about taking over in the summer.
Former Wolves’ manager Julen Lopetegui has also been spotted at Selhurst Park in recent weeks and would be an experienced option, while Lille manager Paulo Fonseca and Oliver Glasner, who has been out of work since leaving Eintracht Frankfurt in the summer, both have their supporters in the Palace boardroom.
It is understood that Parish would prefer to keep Hodgson until the end of the season but is aware of the growing frustration among supporters and could be forced to act if results do not improve.
Hodgson was irritated by VAR’s decision to award a penalty to Noni Madueke after he was fouled by Eberechi Eze in the 89th minute of Liverpool’s 2-1 loss to Chelsea, but said he was unconcerned about his position.
“It wasn’t my obvious idea of what a penalty looks like, but that’s the same for so many penalties that I’ve seen given, because I’m conditioned to some extent after seeing penalties given and not given for many years,” he went on to say. “Then there’s the question of whether I’m scared to death right now because we’re just a few points above the relegation zone.” I’ll respond to that as well: “No, I’m not.”
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