Everton namechecked as Roy Hodgson sack news emerges at Crystal Palace
Steve Cooper and Julen Lopetegui are reluctant to take over at Crystal Palace due to a busy schedule that includes a meeting with Everton.
That is according to The Guardian, with the publication reporting on its website on Sunday (4 February) that Eagles chairman Steve Parish is considering sacking Roy Hodgson.
That comes after Palace lost 4-1 against Brighton on Saturday (3 February), their heaviest defeat in that rivalry since a 5-0 loss in 1956.
Everton to benefit from Hodgson sacking
It is clear that Everton would benefit should Hodgson lose his job at his beloved Crystal Palace, with the two clubs set to go head to head in the near future.
And that encounter is one of three that The Guardian have discussed as reasons why former Nottingham Forest boss Cooper and ex-Wolves manager Lopetegui do not want to take over at Selhurst Park.
“Steve Cooper – sacked by Nottingham Forest in December – and the former Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui have been mooted as potential replacements but are believed to be reluctant to take over with so little time to prepare for a run of fixtures that includes Chelsea at Selhurst Park next Monday night before a trip to face Everton and home fixture against Burnley on successive weekends,” according to The Guardian.
The Toffees have had several issues of their own this season, both on the pitch, and off it, such as in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday.
But Palace would certainly be distracted if they were to sack Hodgson ahead of their trip to Goodison Park, and that would definitely play into the favour of the hosts.
In other Everton news, Gary Neville has predicted a transfer explosion as he dropped a Toffees verdict live on Sky Sports.
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