Lucien Favre reportedly in contention for Crystal Palace job one year after Newcastle links

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Former Newcastle United target Lucien Favre is reportedly set for talks about becoming Crystal Palace manager.

That’s according to the Guardian, who claim the Eagles have made contact with his representatives.

Palace are still looking for a replacement for Roy Hodson, who left the club at the end of the season. They are also linked with Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

Favre is currently a free agent, after losing his job at Borussia Dortmund in December last year.

The 63-year-old would be an ambitious appointment by Palace. He’s known for his attacking football, something that hasn’t often been seen at Selhurst Park over the past few years. Although that’s what Hodgson’s predecessor Frank de Boer was brought in to do and he only lasted four games.

If Palace do appoint Favre, it would be his first spell in England. But it isn’t the first time he’s been linked with the Premier League. In fact, he’s reportedly been a target for Newcastle on more than one occasion.

Lucien Favre has been linked with Newcastle multiple times

Favre was first linked back in 2015. The Magpies were looking for a permanent replacement for Alan Pardew, and the Chronicle claimed that Favre was a contender.

They reported that former chief scout Graham Carr suggested appointing either Favre or Steve McClaren.

Of course, the Magpies went with the latter, and were preparing for Championship football 12 months later.

Last summer, Favre was reportedly once again a target for Newcastle – but this time things were a bit murkier.

The Magpies were in the midst of a takeover, and in April 2020, everything seemed to be going to plan.

PCP Capital Partners had agreed a deal to buy the club, with exciting managers and players being linked regularly.

ESPN reported 14 months ago that there were four leading candidates for the Newcastle job, one of which was Favre.

The Swiss-born boss was linked alongside Massimiliano Allegri, Rafa Benitez and Mauricio Pochettino.

The fact Favre was named alongside those managers is a testament to his ability.

Alas, the takeover didn’t happen, and Toon fans continue to wonder ‘what if’.

Pochettino is now at PSG. Benitez is reportedly heading to Everton.

And now Favre is a contender for the Palace job. The fact he could take charge of a club who finished lower than Newcastle suggests that even without a takeover he could be in reach for the Magpies.

However, that would require ambition from the club’s owners. Instead, Steve Bruce remains in charge. Mike Ashley is happy to chug on by in the Premier League and wait for the Saudis to take it off his hands – something that may never happen.