It appears that Crystal Palace have settled on replacing Roy Hodgson at the end of the campaign.
The 73-year-old’s contract expires in just a couple of month’s time, with replacements already being talked up. Sean Dyche and Valerien Ismael have already been linked with a switch to Selhurst Park, whilst Eddie Howe is also reportedly on the Eagles’ list of potential managers.
The former Bournemouth boss also has suitors at Celtic but Palace have been handed a huge advantage in the race for his signature.
According to Give Me Sport, his representatives have convinced him that he is still able to earn a job in the Premier League, giving the Eagles a huge boost in their prospects of appointing Howe as Hodgson’s successor, a role he would surely be able to fulfil.
Having got Bournemouth promoted to the Premier League, he led the Cherries to 16th , 9th, 12th and 14th placed finishes before the club eventually suffered relegation back to the Championship.
Despite that demotion, Howe has still been praised. Former Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman labelled him as “special” following his work at the Vitality Stadium.
Whilst Hodgson can boast a better win percentage in recent years, racking up 33% compared to Howe’s 29% in the Premier League, the latter would certainly bring fresh ideas to Selhurst Park with Palace having themselves not managed to finish in the top-half of the table during Hodgson’s tenure.
Another benefit of Palace’s appointment of Howe would also be the ease at which a deal could potentially be done.
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Currently out of work, Steve Parish would not have to fork out any compensation in which to bring him to Selhurst Park. That would certainly not be the case with the aforementioned reported targets Dyche and Ismael, who are still currently employed by Burnley and Barnsely, respectively.
So, with Howe having seemingly been encouraged to wait for a Premier League role, Palace really have been handed a huge boost in their pursuit of the former Bournemouth man.
AND in more news, find out which Premier League defender could be the perfect addition for Palace in the summer...