Steve Cooper lined up for immediate Premier League return just hours after Nottingham Forest sacking
STEVE COOPER has reportedly been lined up with a return to Premier League management.
The manager was sacked by Nottingham Forest on Tuesday with the club one spot above the relegation zone.
The Welshman is now a contender to replace Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, according to The Standard.
While it is thought that there is no immediate change in the dugout at Selhurst Park, the club are planning for the future.
The former England manager’s contract expires at the end of the season.
Hodgson, 76, is in his second spell at Palace and re-joined earlier this year as a replacement for Patrick Vieira.
Cooper, 44, was reportedly interviewed for the Palace job in the summer, with the club still admirers of the former Swansea City manager.
The report claims that the former Forest man is seen as the “ideal candidate” to take over at Palace.
The club has invested £20million into a new academy and Cooper has plenty of experience of working with young players.
He was the former head coach of the England U17s and won the World Cup in 2017.
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Cooper worked with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Phil Foden and Callum Hudon-Odoi during his tenure.
He also worked with Palace star Marc Guehi while at Swansea.
Hodgson had been under pressure at Palace after a poor run of form that saw the club drop to 15th in the league.
However, a 2-2 draw against Manchester City has eased concerns.
Cooper has already been replaced at the City Ground with former Wolves and Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo being appointed.
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