Early candidates emerge for next permanent Crystal Palace manager

Crystal Palace are reportedly interested in appointing Steve Cooper in the summer.

The Daily Mail are reporting that the Nottingham Forest boss is one of a ‘number’ of managers the South Londoners are tracking ahead of next season.

The Nottingham Forest boss was on the shortlist that the Eagles considered before appointing Patrick Vieira in July 2021.

Vieira was sacked last Friday and replaced by 75-year-old Roy Hodgson until the end of the season.

“It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me,” said Hodgson.

“Our sole objective now is to start winning matches, and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status.”

In 18 months at the City Ground, ex-Swansea boss Cooper has taken Forest from the bottom of the Championship to the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history.

Forest are 16th in the Premier League table and one point behind Palace.

The Guardian has reported that both Paulo Fonseca and Adi Hutter are also under consideration by the Eagles heading into the summer.

Fonseca is currently in charge of French side Lille, who are sixth in Ligue 1. Hutter, 53, has been out of work since he was sacked at the end of last season by Borussia Monchengladbach.

Palace are without a win in 2023 and have lost four games on the bounce in the Premier League.