Chris Hughton: Hughton has been tipped as the favourite to be the next manager of the Eagles by some of the national papers over the weekend despite Chairman Steve Parish denying ever speaking to the former Newcastle boss and insisting his appearance at the 3-0 defeat to
Millwall on New Years Day was a coincidence. While Hughton eased his Newcastle side back into the Premier League last season at the first time of asking and was harshly dismissed by Toon chairman Mike Ashley I feel Hughton is not the man Palace need. He came away from the Newcastle job with a great deal of credit from fans and the players but to me questions still linger over his managerial capabilities. The Newcastle team that got promoted last season had the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith - all top flight players.
Steve Coppell: The Daily Mirror described Coppell as a shock contender for the role.
Why he is a shock contender I am struggling to work out, he would in many Palace fans eyes be the ideal man to replace Burley but there are worries whether he wants to manage again after his spell at Bristol City. Coppell is a true Palace legend and some thought he may take the reins last year after the departure of Warnock and now the club is stable with the January transfer window just opened it may be an even more appealing position. Others have suggested that Coppell could come in as a Director of Football role offering support to CPFC 2010 and the manager. What is certain at the minute surrounding Coppell is that Parish is going to talk to him about the role whether he sees him fit in or who is the ideal candidate is his mind.
Dougie Freedman: The current caretaker manager and Palace legend had the fans singing his name in Monday's crucial 1-0 home victory over fellow strugglers Preston North End. Concerns surrounding Freedman is his lack of experience but Parish has admitted that the result against Preston has left him with a dilemna. The former Palace frontman made some tough decisions in that game that perhaps showed he is not all that inexperienced at the helm of the dugout. He firstly bought on Kieran Cadogan for Stuart O'Keefe who went on to set up Steffen Iversen's debut goal. He then replaced the Norwegian forward for Calvin Andrew and subbed Wilfred Zaha for David Wright adopting a defensive system for the
remaining ten minutes.
Chris Coleman: Former Eagle Coleman was voted in Palace's centenary XI and is likely to
have put his name forward for the job. He has experience with Premier League side Fulham and Championship side Coventry as well as time abroad in Spain with Real Sociedad. He did well as Fulham manager with not a great squad especially after loosing Edwin van der Sar, Louis Saha, Steed Malbranque and Luis Boa Morte. After spending a year and a half at the Ricoh Arena he failed to really push them on as a club finishing last season just above the relegation zone in 19th place before being sacked.
Gareth Southgate: Another former Palace player that will be keen to get back into management since his departure from Middlesbrough. He will be eager to prove himself after a poor record at the Riverside but may pose something of a risk in my opinion. Didn't do much at Borough to convince many he is a decent manager and may need some time elsewhere to prove himself before his chance at Selhurst.
Possible Premier League managers that may have put their name forward may include Sam Allardyce, Paul Jewell, Alan Curbishley, Martin O'Neil or Phil Brown.
Whoever CPFC 2010 chose to replace Burley they must not rush into the decision despite the january transfer window being open and keep the faith with Dougie to do the job until a successor is found. For me the answer is to keep the young combination of Dean Austin and Freedman and install Coppell as Director of Football to guide them. They need to get someone in for the long term which they thought Burley was and if they are to look elsewhere from the Palace foundations then Alan Curbishley is one man who would fit the bill well.
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