Crystal Palace could be in line for a boost ahead of next season as uncertainty over their managerial position rumbles on...

What's the word?

According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Eagles boss Roy Hodgson "could leave" Selhurst Park at the end of the current campaign and the south-east London outfit have two names atop their wishlist.

Steve Parish's main targets are said to be former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard, who was sacked back in January after 18 months in charge, and former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira, who has been out of work since leaving Nice in December.

Hodgson's contract is set to expire in June but the 73-year-old isn't in a rush to make an announcement on his future.

Boost for Parish

This is one step closer to knowing about the immediate future of Palace and the fact that Hodgson himself is still remaining coy on it could suggest that he'll depart come to the summer and that he's simply looking to avoid any distractions by making an official announcement.

It means Parish will get a proper chance to get planning ahead of next season, which will be a huge boost to their chances of success and improving on their likely mid-table finish.

If the veteran manager is to leave Palace, the chairman now has plenty of time to find his successor, especially as Hodgson has guided them to a safe position this season.

Whilst we do not officially know whether the former England boss will stay or go, the fact that he's getting closer and closer towards his contract expiring speaks volumes, and it seems more and more likely that he'll be heading for the exit.

Many supporters have felt a lack of ambition from the club under the 73-year-old, so this will be music to their ears, especially as this squad has plenty of young talent with bags of potential that could give any new boss an exciting foundation to build upon.

Lampard, for example, has a proven track record, fully bringing through the likes Mason Mount, Reece James and Tammy Abraham into the Blues' first-team and he could be the one to elevate the games of the likes of Eberechi Eze or Tyrick Mitchell that little further.

And that should have those Palace fans buzzing.

With only five games left remaining, we'll soon see how the Eagles will be looking heading into 2021/22.

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