Highly-rated manager reacts to link to Crystal Palace hotseat
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
Steve Cooper claims his only focus is Swansea City’s promotion race – with the Welshman linked with Crystal Palace over the weekend.
A national newspaper reported on Sunday that the 41-year-old had been added to the list of potential successors to Roy Hodgson in SE25.
The Eagles could have a managerial vacancy this summer with Hodgson’s contract due to expire.
Cooper was appointed Swans chief in June 2019 and guided them to the play-offs last season.
They are firmly in the mix for a top-two finish in the Championship and have games in hand on Norwich and Brentford.
Cooper has been lauded for the way he has revitalised City and also his connections which have allowed them to previously land loan stars like Rhian Brewster and Conor Gallagher.
Asked about the link to the Eagles, Cooper said: “All of that’s irrelevant. Not even worth talking about. We’re in this mad schedule and the only thing I’m focused on is the team and the collective, preparing for the next game.
“There are no sideshows and certainly nothing to talk about. The important thing is we stick together and carry on with our work.”
Palace are mulling over whether to retain Hodgson, 73. Other options are thought to include Burnley’s Sean Dyche and Eddie Howe, who left Bournemouth at the end of last season.
Hodgson said: “I am more than comfortable with my situation at the moment. I’m happy to take each day as it comes and enjoy the job that I have been doing and am able to continue doing.”
Life moves on. Roy has had a good run and has done great things to stabilize CP. As the song “Oklahoma” says, “He’s gone about as fer as he can go”. It is time to move on with a youthful coach to manage a youthful squad.