Crystal Palace have identified Swansea City boss Steve Cooper as a potential replacement for Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park, as reported by The Sun (14 February, page 56).
Palace fans could be forgiven for glancing enviously at the opposition on Saturday afternoon.
After all, it is no secret that Sean Dyche has admirers in South London and the Burnley boss certainly aced his audition at Selhurst, guiding the Clarets to a thumping 3-0 win as Hodgson watched on from the sidelines, powerless and defeated.
The Premier League’s oldest-ever manager is out of contract this season and admitted recently that this season may just be his last.
Though, according to The Sun, the gravel-voiced Dyche is not the only name on Crystal Palace’s wishlist as they prepare for life after their long-serving 73-year-old coach.
The report claims that Cooper, three decades Hodgson’s junior, has also caught the eye during two impressive seasons in South Wales.
Cooper has built on the foundations set by Graham Potter since taking over in 2019, turning Swansea into a reliable, rock-solid, results-machine capable of fighting for an automatic promotion spot.
The former England youth coach, who guided the Three Lions to glory at the U17 World Cup after making a name for himself as the head of Liverpool’s academy, has a brilliant track record with young players too.
Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Emile Smith-Rowe and current Swansea centre-back Marc Guehi all starred as England beat Spain to U17 World Cup glory four years ago.
And, with Crystal Palace looking to revamp an ageing squad, Cooper may be the ideal man to oversee such a project.
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