Crystal Palace eye Portuguese boss to take over from Roy Hodgson after snubbing him for flop Patrick Vieira in 2021
CRYSTAL PALACE have put Portuguese coach Paulo Fonseca on their radar as the long-term successor to Roy Hodgson.
The Eagles will wait for the right time to move for the highly-rated Lille boss, who was on their hit list before they picked Patrick Vieira in July 2021.
Hodgson, 76, agreed to stay on for this season but Palace are already working out a plan for when he finally leaves.
Fonseca, 50, is keen to come to the Prem.
Ipswich chief Kieran McKenna is also on the shortlist at Selhurst Park.
Former England boss Hodgson made history by becoming the first opposition manager to go unbeaten in five consecutive games at Old Trafford.
His Crystal Palace team claimed all three points in a smash-and-grab 1-0 over against Manchester United.
Joachim Andersen‘s first-half strike proved to be the difference between the two sides as the Eagles got revenge for the 3-0 defeat they suffered against United in their midweek League Cup match.
Hodgson had been forced to miss Palace’s clash with Aston Villa earlier this season after being taken unwell but was “feeling better” soon after.
Fonseca’s Lille team currently sit in 11th in the Ligue 1 table after losing their last match against Will Still’s Reims.
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He has been in charge of the French outfit since June 2022, with Lille finishing fifth in his first full season in charge.
In McKenna’s case, he has led Ipswich to the top of League One after winning seven of the opening nine games.
He took over the club in the summer after departing his role as assistant manager at Man Utd.