Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace future is under scrutiny after side were booed off following Bournemouth loss… with Steve Cooper and Kieran McKenna among hierarchy’s targets

• Crystal Palace fell to a bruising 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, leaving them 14th 
• Pressure is building on Roy Hodgson, with his future under increased scrutiny 
• It’s wonderful, but we are baffled and bamboozled by what Big Ange is doing – It’s All Kicking Off

Crystal Palace head coach Roy Hodgson’s future is under scrutiny following a worrying run of one victory in eight matches.

The Eagles slumped to their fifth defeat in seven against Bournemouth on Wednesday night and were booed by their own supporters during the latest disappointment.

A supporter even hurled a missile at Hodgson after the 2-0 loss with police investigating the alleged incident.

The preferred scenario for key figures at Selhurst Park has been for Hodgson, whose contract expires in six months, to see out the season ahead of appointing their next boss in the summer.

In those circumstances, Palace believe they will have a wider pool of managers to choose from with many of the coaches on their radar currently in work.

Roy Hodgson’s position as Crystal Palace is under increasing pressure after a poor season start

Steve Cooper (left) and Kieran McKenna (right) both have their admirers at Selhurst Park

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A summer change would also allow Hodgson, who is hugely respected at Palace, to make a dignified exit.

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper, a long-term managerial target for Palace, remains on the club’s radar and has significant backing at the south London club.

Cooper is under huge pressure at the City Ground following a dismal run of one win in 11 matches, culminating in a 5-0 hammering at Fulham on Wednesday night.

If the Forest boss is dismissed, Palace may consider accelerating their long-term plan to replace Hodgson before the end of the season if they believe Cooper is obtainable.

Ipswich head coach Kieran McKenna is also admired at Palace, but chances of the former Manchester United assistant walking away from his current side’s Championship promotion challenge appear limited.

Nevertheless, Mail Sport understands there is growing agitation behind the scenes at Palace over Hodgson’s position at the club amid growing supporter discontent.

Hodgson is hugely respected at Palace and the club would want any exit to be dignified

There was hope Palace would improve in their previous two fixtures against West Ham and Bournemouth, but the team has picked up just one point.

Palace face Liverpool, Manchester City, Brighton, Chelsea and Arsenal in five of their next six Premier League matches amid concern, given the quality of their forthcoming opponents, they could slide down the table. Patrick Vieira was sacked last season following a run of 12 matches without victory.

Sources have indicated a decision over Hodgson’s future is unlikely before the weekend but the pressure is building.

There is a feeling at Palace that despite the departure of talisman Wilfried Zaha to Galatasaray last summer; they still have a promising young squad with the likes of Michael Olise, Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Tyrick Mitchell, Cheick Doucoure and Joachim Anderson at their disposal.

There is a feeling at Palace that they should comfortably avoid a relegation fight with the talent they have.

That said, Palace’s season has been riddled with injury blows, key men Olise and Eze have both missed significant chunks of the season.

Palace have won four games in the league this season and they were booed off on Wednesday

First-choice central midfielder Doucoure is set to miss the rest of the season with a serious Achilles injury.

The injuries are accepted as mitigating factors, yet there is concern about whether Hodgson can arrest his side’s slump given the run of fixtures ahead of them.

Hodgson returned to Palace, after originally leaving in 2021, to successfully save the club from relegation in March.

He was due to leave at the end of last season but was handed the reins for another campaign as Palace considered alternatives.

However, the team have found difficulty in replicating the results that accompanied Hodgson’s return with the club currently 14th – nine points from safety.

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