Steve Coppell has been installed as the early bookmakers' favourite to succeed Dougie Freedman at Crystal Palace. Freedman is reportedly on the verge of becoming the new manager of Bolton after Palace reluctantly granted him permission to speak to the Trotters on Monday. Media reports reveal that Bolton are now set to lure the 38-year-old to the Reebok Stadium by offering him a three-year deal believed to be worth £1.5million.
The imminent Palace vacancy is sure to attract a host of managerial contenders due to the club's impressive start to the new Championship season. The south London club are currently fourth in the table, just two points adrift of league leaders Leicester. Their progress under former player Freedman has inevitably caught the attention of Bolton who have been searching for a replacement for Owen Coyle since 9th October. Last week Freedman emerged as the surprise frontrunner in the Next Bolton Manager betting market and is now the overwhelmingly short-priced favourite for the job.
With Freedman's move to Bolton believed to be nearing competition, it is former Palace boss Coppell who has emerged as the favourite in the Next Crystal Palace Odds market. The 57-year-old is currently working as a director of football at League One side Crawley Town but may be tempted to return to Selhurst Park for a third spell. Coppell previously managed Palace between 1984 and 1993, before returning in 1995 for a season as director of football. Other managers in the mix at this stage include Mick McCarthy, Sean Dyche, Tony Popovic, Curtis Fleming and assistant manager Lennie Lawrence.
