Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has now emerged as a target for relegation rivals Crystal Palace. Director of Football, Dougie Freedman is a huge fan and could make his move during the summer.
According to the Daily Mail, the South Londoners are already preparing for the end of Roy Hodgson’s short-term deal and are very keen on appointing the Forest man.
Palace recently appointed Hodgson for another spell in charge of the Eagles. He replaces Patrick Vieira, with the relegation-threatened club without a win in 2023 as of yet.
The Reds will be desperately keen to keep hold of their head coach. The 43-year-old has transformed the club in such a short space of time and the project has only really just begun.
Relegation could change things, however. The Reds could endure the embarrassment of enjoying just a single season in the Premier League, with Forest winless in six games.
It does seem unlikely at this stage that both Forest and Palace will be relegated at the end of 2022/23. It also appears unlikely that Hodgson will stay on beyond the end of the campaign.
Attention will turn towards Cooper in the summer. Forest will know they are extremely well-equipped to secure an instant return if the Welshman remains in charge, but he might have a desire to stay in the top flight.
Jamie Carragher is a huge fan of Cooper. He’s praised him a number of times on Sky Sports this season but most recently he called him ‘amazing’ on Friday Night Football.
Cooper now wanted by Palace
If Forest remain in the Premier League, the Eagles can forget it. Why would Cooper want to go to Palace when he can remain at Forest where he has a long-term contract.
Tottenham were linked with Cooper by the same publication last month. That level of club would be a different matter altogether, with Spurs having European football on offer.
Leaving Forest for Palace if they’re both in the same division wouldn’t make sense, however. The Reds are arguably a bigger football club and are perhaps a bigger attraction for new signings.
Forest won’t want Cooper to leave any time soon. Relegation would be a complete disaster but with the 43-year-old at the helm, the club would fancy their chances of an immediate return.