CRYSTAL PALACE and Nottingham Forest are allegedly “chasing the same manager” with both looking to make potential changes.
The Eagles and Forest are both slumped down in the lower reaches of the Premier League after disappointing starts to the campaign.
Palace have won just four times in 16 matches, piling pressure on veteran boss Roy Hodgson.
And speculation continues to claim that Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis could replace Steve Cooper – despite supporters still very much showing their support for their manager.
Now a fresh report in Spain has claimed that Julen Lopetegui is wanted by both teams.
The 57-year-old former Spanish national team and Real Madrid boss is currently a free agent.
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He impressed last season in the Premier League after taking over at Wolves in November and led them away from danger to a 13th finish.
However, following a disagreement with Molineux chiefs over the direction that the club was going in, he left the club just days before the start of this season.
Lopetegui is allegedly still living in England due to his desire to land another job in our top-flight.
And now he may not have to wait too much longer for an opportunity.
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Marca claim that Palace have “already approached” Lopetegui about potentially replacing Hodgson, but Forest are “the most interested” in him.
This update states that he has been “updating himself” by watching a lot of live matches throughout his time out of the game.
He has also visited Manchester City to chat with Pep Guardiola and is believed to have enjoyed a recent three-hour meeting with England’s Gareth Southgate as well.
Lopetegui remains “waiting” for something to come up and this report is saying that Forest have already “sounded out” his availability.
But with Palace also already being in touch with an approach, it looks set to be a straight out fight for his services from the two strugglers.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
