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Crystal Palace 'identify Steve Cooper as replacement for under-fire Roy Hodgson'

Palace 'identify Cooper as replacement for under-fire Hodgson'
© Reuters
Nottingham Forest Steve Cooper is reportedly attracting interest from Crystal Palace as a potential replacement for under-fire Roy Hodgson.

Crystal Palace have reportedly targeted Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper as a potential replacement for Roy Hodgson.

The 76-year-old is now seemingly under pressure at Selhurst Park following a defeat at Luton Town over the weekend.

Some ill-feeling has crept in over the past few months, especially when Hodgson came in for criticism when singling out youth players publicly for underperforming in matches.

Palace are yet again lingering in mid-table, having picked up 15 points from their opening 13 games this season, with no real threat of challenging for Europe or facing relegation.

Hodgson is only contracted until the end of the season, after signing a one-year extension over the summer in the wake of guiding Palace to safety last season.

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson before the match on November 11, 2023© Reuters

However, The Times claims that Forest boss Cooper is high on their shortlist should the Eagles opt to make a change in the dugout.

Cooper himself is reportedly on borrowed time at Forest following a run of results which has seen them win just one of their last nine Premier League games.

Forest were beaten 3-2 at home by Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, and struggled to break down the Seagulls who played almost 30 minutes with 10 men.

Despite the defeat, Forest remain eight points clear of the drop zone in 15th, given the struggles of the newly-promoted clubs and the 10-point deduction given to Everton.

Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has shown faith in Cooper before when going through a rough spell though, as his future was questioned at times last season.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis pictured in February 2019© Reuters

Marinakis decided not to pull the trigger, and instead offered Cooper a new contract until 2025, with his faith being rewarded as the club stayed up last season.

Cooper has got some goodwill stored in the bank considering that he led them to promotion during the 2021-22 season despite taking over when they were bottom of the table early on.

With Gareth Southgate's England future unclear after Euro 2024, there were also reports linking Cooper with the England job after next summer's finals.

Forest have a crucial Premier League encounter with Everton coming up on Saturday, with the Toffees looking like the side who those just above the dotted line will be hoping to stay clear of for the rest of the season.

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5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
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