Former Bundesliga manager Adi Hutter is open to replacing Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace and could meet up with the Premier League strugglers over the next few weeks, according to Krone Zeitung.
Following the sacking of Patrick Vieira last week, 75-year-old Hodgson returned for a second spell at Selhurst Park, signing a contract until the summer.
But if the former England boss is viewed only as a short-term solution, then Palace will once again find themselves scouring the market for a new head coach sooner rather than later. Fortunately, one of those mentioned by The Guardian as a potential candidate appears to be intrigued about the prospect of taking over a club stuck in a never-ending cycle of mediocrity and malaise.
Hutter, Krone Zeitung say, has already been contacted by Crystal Palace. The former Borussia Monchengladbach coach could travel to London before the season’s conclusion in May. Post-Brexit regulations will not prevent the 53-year-old Austrian from signing on the dotted line at Selhurst Park.
Adi Hutter could replace Roy Hodgson as Crystal Palace manager
22 years Hodgson’s junior but still possessing vast experience, Hutter has been out of work since leaving ‘Gladbach back in May. Hutter underwhelmed at Borussia Park but was a huge success at Bundesliga rivals Eintracht Frankfurt. He was BILD’s Coach of the Year in 2019; guiding a Frankfurt team containing Ante Rebic, Sebastian Haller and Luka Jovic to seventh place. They also came within a penalty shoot-out of the Europa League final.
Hutter would also arrive at Crystal Palace with two league winners’ medals on his CV; the Austrian Bundesliga at Red Bull Salzburg and the Swiss Super League at BSC Young Boys. The latter, by the way, tasted domestic success for the first time in 32 years under his stewardship.
“Adi Hutter is doing a sensational job,” Germany’s former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick once said of a man likened to Antonio Conte due to his preference for a wing-back system.
“Frankfurt are really well drilled and have really developed. They play aggressive football, they press high up the pitch. They’re solid at the back, too.
“Adi Hutter is a very good coach,” adds Julian Nagelsmann, Flick’s Allianz Arena successor. “He inherited a solid base from Niko Kovac, and has introduced his own elements to it. Like Niko, he gets players performing to their limits, and his team plays with real heart.”
Who will be Crystal Palace’s next coach?
Crystal Palace reportedly like Lille coach Paulo Fonseca too. Ditto Championship bosses Vincent Kompany (Burnley) and Michael Carrick (Middlesbrough). The latter, however, is committing himself to a Boro side chasing down an automatic promotion spot.
“No communication (with Palace),” says the Manchester United legend. “I am delighted to be here with this great group of players. (Middlesbrough is) a great club. The supporters have been incredible with me as well.
“I’m delighted to watch the team play like they did today (vs Preston). And hopefully there will be some more of them between now and the end of the season.”
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