Exclusive – Burnley manager Sean Dyche is the leading candidate to become Crystal Palace’s new manager if Roy Hodgson does not stay this summer.
Hodgson, who turns 74 the week before the 2021/22 Premier League season starts in August, is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and has publicly admitted in recent weeks that his future at Selhurst Park is “undecided”.
Hodgson has signed three-month contract at Selhurst Park Sebastian Frej / MB Media / Getty Images
Palace chairman Steve Parish and sports director Dougie Freedman have been in lengthy discussions about the club’s future direction and 90 minutes understand that talks with Hodgson are ongoing. The Eagles are open to the former England boss to stay, but it is far from certain that he will do so – and the names of several possible replacements have been added to Parish.
Burnley boss Dyche is the best candidate considered, having been of interest to Palace last summer before Hodgson signed a one-year contract extension.
Dyche has long been admired by Parish and a number of clubs are impressed by his record at Turf Moor. He has twice had Burnley promoted to the Premier League, kept them in top flight since 2016 and even qualified for Europe on a shorter transfer budget.
However, Dyche is not the only name in conflict. Former Chelsea coach Frank Lampard would be interested in exploring a Palace proposal if one were presented to him.
Sean Dyche is the top candidate that Palace is considering Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Lampard has been out of work since being sacked by Chelsea in late January and recently became a father for the fourth time, but the opportunity to return to football at a club known for his progressive hierarchy and attitude – as well as not having to root for family from London – will likely appeal.
Palace can also look to top-ranked champions to replace Hodgson. Swansea boss Steve Cooper, who has led the Welsh club in promotion since he took over in 2019, is on the Selhurst Park radar, as is Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael.
Barnsley only avoided relegation to League One last season and Ismael was named in October when Tykes were still unbeaten in the league this season, but have still pushed the team to the Championship play-offs. This is a club that has not even ended up in the top half of the championship table since 2000, without obstacles challenged for promotion.
Frank Lampard would be interested if Palace gave him an offer | TIM KEETON / Getty Images
Ismael also already knows Palace after signing a club record £ 2.75m in January 1998. The Frenchman’s stay in south London was only short due to relegation but he later won trophies with Lens, Strasbourg, Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich.
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