Steve Parish already has Dougie Freedman replacement right under his nose at Crystal Palace - opinion

You may have heard the rumours about Dougie Freedman potentially leaving Crystal Palace for Newcastle.

Our Director of Football has allegedly sat down for an interview with the Magpies and is keen to take the job, impressing those on Tyneside with a straight talking style as well as his ambitious recruitment plans.

That is according to the Telegraph.

If Dougie Freedman does leave Selhurst Park this summer, Steve Parish may already have a replacement right under his nose at Crystal Palace…

Why Oliver Glasner could replace Dougie Freedman at Crystal Palace

In modern football, the Director of Football role has taken on a life of its own, with many clubs even hiring several people to oversee recruitment.

For example, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already pinched Dan Ashworth and Jason Wilcox from Newcastle and Southampton respectively as the 71-year-old attempts to shape a new era at Manchester United.

The Red Devils had shown interest in Freedman at one stage.

However, we believe there is a case to argue for Oliver Glasner replacing the Glaswegian – while also continuing his role as manager.

The Austrian has previously juggled both jobs to great effect during his time at LASK.

As mentioned on Crystal Palace’s official website, Glasner joined LASK as Director of Sport as well as Head Coach ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.

Having constructed a team in his image, the 49-year-old achieved instant success, overseeing promotion to the Austrian Bundesliga before guiding LASK to fourth spot in his second season in charge, which secured a first European campaign for the club since 2000.

Of course, the Premier League is a different beast to the Austrian Bundesliga, but Glasner’s success in both a Director of Sport and Head Coach role – as well as the fact he was open to juggling the two jobs in the first place – would suggest he may be happy to take over Freedman’s duties.

Austrian already seems to have some targets in mind

There is further evidence that Glasner could replace Freedman himself, as the man from Salzburg has already cherry picked some players he wants.

A story from A Bola in Portugal claims that Glasner has asked for Sporting CP No.10 Marcus Edwards at Selhurst Park, while the Telegraph believe he also wants Maxence Lacroix – who he signed for VfL Wolfsburg – to move to SE25 this summer.

Notable signings made under Oliver Glasner

It would be a bold move from Parish, although there is certainly evidence it could work.

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