Adi Hutter will be in England next week amid reports suggesting that he could take over from Roy Hodgson at resurgent Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
As remarkably as the former England boss has done since stepping into Patrick Vieira’s shoes, Hodgson was only ever supposed to be a short-term fix. A septuagenarian sticking plaster, if you will.
Despite three successive Premier League wins over Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton – a run which has airlifted Palace comfortably clear of the relegation zone – handing 75-year-old Hodgson a longer contract into next season would still represent a step backwards for a club looking to make strides in the other direction.
And Hutter could be the kind of forward-thinking, ambitious appointment capable of bridging the gap between the ‘best’ and the ‘rest’ in this two-tiered top-flight.
Adi Hutter could replace Roy Hodgson as Crystal Palace manager
According to Austrian publication Kurier, Donbirn-born Hutter is likely to take over at Selhurst Park this summer. The 53-year-old has been out of work since an underwhelming spell at Borussia Monchengladbach. He did guide Eintracht Frankfurt to the Europa League semi-finals in 2019, however; turning a strikeforce of Ante Rebic, Sebastien Haller and Luka Jovic into one of the most exciting on the continent.
Austrian reporter Peter Linden is playing down reports suggesting that Hutter to Crystal Palace is a ‘done deal’. But nor is he ruling out the prospect of a man who ended BSC Young Boys’ 32-year wait for a league title taking over from Hodgson.
Hutter, Linden adds, will be in England next week. Presumably, in order to hold talks with a number of potential suitors. Leicester City and Leeds United will need new head coaches; Dean Smith and Javi Gracia only on short-term deals. There may also be a vacancy at West Ham United; David Moyes reportedly unlikely to survive the summer.
Adi Hutter wants to work in England
“My big goal is the Premier League. (My agent and I) are working on that,” Hutter told Kicker recently.
“(The Premier League is) the most interesting league in the world. I could develop further there. I think my idea of football is very good in this league could fit. Especially since there are many fast players there.”
Hutter has reportedly been contacted by Crystal Palace already. His fast-paced, high-pressing style would be well received by the Selhurst Park faithful who want a bit of spice in their lives after so many unseasoned seasons.
“Adi Hutter is doing a sensational job,” Germany’s former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick said; hailing of a man likened to Antonio Conte due to his preference for a wing-back system.
“Frankfurt play aggressive football. They press high up the pitch. They’re solid at the back, too.”
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