Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is under pressure after a heavy 5-0 loss at Arsenal – and the Selhurst Park hierarchy have now drawn up a four-man managerial shortlist
Crystal Palace have drawn up a managerial shortlist after Saturday’s chastening 5-0 defeat to Arsenal pushed Roy Hodgson closer to the sack.
The beleaguered Eagles boss, 76, arrived at the Emirates under pressure from fans who haven’t been shy in voicing their frustrations in recent weeks. And the decibels of discontent reached new heights after Palace were systematically dismantled by their ruthless hosts.
A header from Gabriel Magalhaes, an own goal from Dean Henderson and a slick finish from Leandro Trossard knocked the stuffing out of Palace long before Gabriel Martinelli ‘s late brace piled on the misery. Fans reacted by unfurling a banner of protest at the final whistle in front of a despondent Hodgson – and it now seems as though the Palace hierarchy are getting ready to act.
According to The Mail, Crystal Palace have now put together a four-man shortlist to replace Hodgson, featuring the likes of Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui. Both are currently unattached after leaving Nottingham Forest and Wolves respectively.
The Eagles are also long-term admirers of Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna, who guided the club to promotion from League One last year. Ipswich are currently near the top of the Championship and in contention for consecutive promotions.
An overseas candidate has also been identified in the form of Mainz chief Bo Svensson, who has won plenty of plaudits over in Germany.
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson is under huge pressure at Selhurst Park ( Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Chairman Steve Parish would prefer Hodgson to see out the remainder of the season before making a long-term appoint in the summer but pressure is going on the club to act. Saturday’s loss means the Londoners have won just one of their last 12 matches.
Hodgson had no issues with the reaction from fans following the heavy loss, saying post-match: “We are going through a very bad spell, no doubt about it. We were hoping this year to kick on, it has not happened. There are reasons for it, it is not quite as simplistic as all that but the fans are always entitled to their opinions. They care and want to see a strong Crystal Palace team. At the moment they have seen a team outplayed today by a superior opponent and they are entitled to make their feelings felt.
“There are times when we look at it from our position with the team and myself what more could we do with the people we are trying to put onto the pitch to try and get results, it is not always that easy. As far as I am concerned the fans are entitled to the opinions they have. I am pretty certain now they will let the club know.”
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