Everton's Premier League relegation rivals 'set' to sack manager as replacement 'lined up'

Everton's Premier League relegation rivals Crystal Palace have reportedly lined up former Eintracht Frankfurt mana­ger Oliver Glasner as a possible replacement for Roy Hodgson as pressure continues to mount on the ex-England boss at Selhurst Park.

Palace have lost three of their last four Premier League fixtures, with their only win in that time a 3-2 victory over bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United. Their latest defeat, a 3-1 loss to Chelsea, left them just five points above the Everton, who sit 18th, while they have conceded 14 times in their last four outings.

Hodgson's deal at Selhurst Park expires at the end of the campaign but widespread reports indicate Eagles chairman Steve Parish has agreed it is time for a change now. Palace have lost half of their 24 games this term, with six wins and six draws so far. Everton opted for a managerial change midway through last season in a bid to avoid relegation as Sean Dyche replaced Frank Lampard and guided the Toffees to safety with a 1-0 win over Bournemouth on the final day of the campaign.

Palace had been strongly linked with a move for Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna after a hugely-impressive season with the Championship club. The Tractor Boys were promoted from League One last term and are now in the thick of the battle for second place and automatic promotion from the second tier, alongside Leeds United and Southampton. However, McKenna was said to have turned down Palace's advances as he was keen to stay in his position with Ipswich as they continue their fight for promotion.

Glasner left Eintracht Frankfurt at the end of last season and has been out of work since. He was linked with the Nottingham Forest position back in December before the club sacked Steve Cooper and appointed Nuno Espírito Santo. Glasner won the Europa League with Frankfurt in 2022. He has also managed Wolfsburg and Austrian side LASK.

He has yet to agree terms at Palace but has reportedly held talks with the club and is eager to return to management. Hodgson is expected to remain in charge against Everton on Monday but he could be dismissed ahead of Palace's fixture with Burnley five days later with the club becoming concerned by the increasing threat of relegation.