Following a record-breaking loss to Brighton on Saturday, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has been considering replacing Roy Hodgson from his management role.
The Guardian claims that he is having trouble finding a substitute who is ready to step in at this stage of the season.
Following the heartbreaking 4-1 setback, which was Palace’s worst loss to their bitter rivals since 1956’s 5-0 loss, the former England manager is under more pressure.
Parish, who fired Patrick Vieira in March of last year following a 1-0 loss to Brighton, has been considering successors for weeks despite Hodgson’s continued troubles, but he has not made the decision to fire him.
Parish, who is photographed at the Amex Stadium with loans manager Mark Bright, has come under fire for the team’s poor play lately—they have only won four of their previous 17 league games.
After the squad’s 5-0 loss to Arsenal last month, Hodgson was reportedly on the verge of being fired. However, following a 10-day break, the team defeated Sheffield United 3-2, which the board members saw as a “missed opportunity.”
Steve Cooper, who was fired by Nottingham Forest in December, and former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui are potential alternatives, but they are reluctant to take over because of the short notice of the games against Chelsea, Everton, and Burnley.
Although John Textor, the club’s largest stakeholder, has been in favor of appointing a new manager for a number of weeks, the Palace chairman has not conferred with Textor since the Brighton loss.
Hodgson has also come under fire for his choice to change Michael Olise at halftime, particularly after the France Under-21 attacker suffered his third season-long hamstring strain.
Hodgson maintains that he still has the desire for the position in spite of the difficulties.
On Monday, Crystal Palace will play Chelsea in the Premier League.
