Now that Sam Allardyce has retired from football, Palace need a new manager for the 2017/18 season.
Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce after the match
Following the shock news that Sam Allardyce will be standing down, Crystal Palace will be searching for a new manager – and chairman Steve Parish should be keeping one eye firmly fixed on the Championship play-off final, because if Huddersfield Town don’t go up, Palace should swoop for David Wagner.
Wagner has performed admirably at Huddersfield, and the fact that the Terriers are 90 minutes away from the Premier League is testament to the job he’s performed there – especially on a limited sized budget in comparison to the rest of the division.
Huddersfield Town manager David Wagner
The Terriers’ best player this season – Aaron Mooy – is on loan from Manchester City, and generally the purse strings at the John Smiths’ Stadium aren’t exactly loose, making Wagner’s achievements with Huddersfield even more impressive.
While there have been several catastrophic results for Huddersfield – losing 4-0 to Bristol City springs to mind – ultimately the club did finish fifth, despite having minus goal difference, and with better players and a better backing, Wagner could be the man that transforms Palace into a top half side.
Huddersfield manager David Wagner
It would represent a big risk for Palace considering they would be hiring on potential, as opposed to hiring someone in line with their more recent appointments such as Tony Pulis, Alan Pardew and Allardyce – all of whom are experienced Premier League managers.
But, if Huddersfield lose to Reading in the play-off final, it could well be a risk worth taking, as if Palace don’t hire Wagner, another Premier League club – with Watford also looking for a new boss – will look to make a move for his services.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish before the match
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