Crystal Palace are keen on hiring former Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo as Roy Hodgson’s successor this summer.
What’s the story?
According to The Sun, Palace are interested in talking to the 47-year-old to see if they can convince him over an immediate return to management.
The report claims that Nuno’s experience and style of play has seen him leapfrog other potential candidates on the Eagles’ wish list as they prepare for the 2021/22 campaign.
Should Palace hire Espirito Santo?
Yes, definitely!
No way!
Parish could revive Palace
Nuno shocked English football when he announced his departure from Molineux after four hugely successful seasons with the Midlands outfit.
The Portuguese boss is thought to be admired by many clubs in England’s top flight and is being eyed up by the Palace hierarchy as chairman Steve Parish continues to search for the south London side’s new boss.
Other candidates such as Barnsley’s Valerian Ismael and Swansea’s Steve Cooper have been shortlisted for the vacancy, but their lack of familiarity with the Premier League may count against them.
Two seventh-placed finishes and a run to the Europa League quarter-finals were among Nuno’s highlights during his time with Wolves, earning praise from well-known journalist Tim Spiers, who said: “He’s done special things, he really has, to get to the cusp of a Europa League semi-final in three years, it’s a miracle – unbelievable.”
Whether the former Porto goalkeeper has the hunger and desire for such a quick return to the dugout may be the deciding factor in his proposed appointment.
A win rate of 48% over his managerial career is an impressive feat, but he may find life a bit trickier should he accept the capital club’s approaches.
Whoever replaces Hodgson will have to oversee an extensive squad rebuild over the coming months while working on a relatively modest and restricted budget.
Key players such as Gary Cahill, Christian Benteke and Patrick van Aanholt are among those approaching the end of their current contracts at Selhurst Park, meaning that a summer of change is set to occur.
However, Nuno has the quality to revive this Palace side and propel them back up the Premier League table. He evolved his Wolves team during his time in charge, and although was backed with significant funds in the transfer market, he often bought well and sold players at the right time.
Bringing in Nuno would appear to be an astute move by Parish, and the 47-year-old’s potential arrival would likely be welcomed by Palace supporters given his track record in English football thus far.
In other news… Parish must seal swoop for £10.3m maestro, Palace desperately need him