Crystal Palace reportedly want Celtic-linked Eddie Howe; tweet sheds light on preferred location

By David Walton

February 22, 2021

Celtic-linked Eddie Howe is at the top of the Crystal Palace managerial wishlist in the summer, according to the Sunday Mirror [21/02, page 72].

The English-based newspaper believes that Palace are looking for a new man to replace current boss Roy Hodgson at the end of the season. With Hodgson’s contract running out in the summer, there doesn’t appear to be any plans to renew it.

Palace chairman Steve Parish has come up with a three-man shortlist for the role, the Sunday Mirror believes. It’s said that Howe is ahead of the likes of Burnley boss Sean Dyche and Swansea City’s Steve Cooper.

TalkSPORT, meanwhile, have tweeted that Howe’s preference for his next job would be to remain down in England. This comes after Bristol City were said to have sounded out the ex-Bournemouth boss over their own managerial vacancy.

Howe has already been linked with both Celtic and Newcastle United [The Sun]. But it looks as though there could be an even greater battle for his signature come the summer.

Crystal Palace interest throws another spanner into the works; but Celtic have plenty to offer Eddie Howe

Premier League interest will always be difficult for Celtic to compete with. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for a player or a manager, the attraction of the perceived “best league in the world” will never not be difficult to turn down.

However, Celtic have so much to offer Howe if he can come in and make an impact. Just look at what the Hoops managed to do for Brendan Rodgers. He built up such an incredible reputation for his domestic dominance that he waltzed straight into one of the Premier League’s bigger jobs.

As incredible as Howe’s time at Bournemouth was – bringing them up from League Two to the Premier League – he isn’t being considered for the top jobs anymore. The likes of Newcastle, Crystal Palace etc is hardly the upper-echelons of the division. Not with Palace sitting 14th and Newcastle three places below.

Eddie Howe / (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

Managing to rebuild Celtic and knock Rangers off of their newly-won perch would be huge for him. Added to that he would be able to experience European football for the first time in his career. Howe could gain so much at Parkhead and, combined with his achievements at Bournemouth, his stock could go higher than it ever has been.

Of course, there is no certainty that the Celtic board want him as their first choice. Granted, the Hoops support have generally made their mind up on whether he would be a good fit.

It would’ve been interesting to see whether Howe would’ve taken the Celtic gig earlier this season. When there was still a chance to secure the 10 and make himself an historic figure. But as the club have continued to wait and wait, Howe’s list of admirers appears to have grown.

In other news, Neil Lennon came to an incredible conclusion when he compared last night’s shambles to September’s 5-0 win in Dingwall.