Phil Sumbler16th June. More than halfway through the month already and just a few weeks short of the Swans returning to pre-season training and yet we still don’t know the future of Steve Cooper as Crystal Palace undertake one of the most farcical managerial searches for some time.
The dust had barely settled on Roy Hodgson’s exit speech when Cooper was instilled as the early favourite for the job and it looked set that he was about to make a move to the Premier League. Rumours/reports of talks between his representatives and Palace in the time around our play off final surrender seemed to make this closing in on a done deal.
Then there was a move from Palace. Whether that was them baulking at the compensation fee (which Lawrie Sanchez has suggested was the case) or just the fact that Nuno Espirito Santo became available but Cooper was relegated down the list to certainly not be first choice and, depending on who you believe, he wasn’t even second or third choice either.
Yet as talks fell down with Nuno (increasing rumours that Palace were looking to make the change on the cheap) the name of Cooper remains on the radar of Palace but nothing actually seems to be changing in terms of progression.
It has been suggested in more than one camp that the pursuit of Cooper was as much about his football results with the Swans as it was at the fact that he would be relatively cheap (in Premier League terms) wage wise but the compensation fee is a staller for Palace. Add that to the fact that he wasn’t first choice and you start to wonder how hurtful this was for Steve’s ego to know that he wasn’t first choice and seen as a cheap option if indeed that was the case.
The crazy part is this is disrupting our summer and the club’s reluctance to comment on the speculation tells you that there is more to it than just speculation and that the reality is Cooper could well be on his way soon. After all, if it wasn’t happening then we would be making a statement to that effect very quickly? Wouldn’t we? And that tells you surely that Cooper wants to leave. So if Palace don’t want him, that makes us second best and knowing that our manager is just sat here waiting for the offer that he wants rather than having a focus on the job ahead of him?
It’s all speculation and conjecture at times but the simple fact is that as we head into the second half of June, decisions should be made and the future of Steve Cooper should be confirmed one way or the other. Even if it is just because we are bored of it now.
Palace are a laughable club. They should not be even considering Steve Cooper, the only reason and all Palace fans know he will be the cheapest. Parish and Freedman look at yourselves. Palace certs to go down with him. 60 years of supporting palace and still the same even with a so called supporter running them, no ambition. Joke club
All well and good coops beating his chest when we’ve won important games, nows the time to speak up if he’s not 100% committed to Swansea city football club him or any other person / player can do one I know it’s silly season but enough enough
I am totally perplexed by Julian Winter, I thought he was someone like the man before him belived in in good and sincere communication. It seem that he is not as we have not had any statement from him, or Cooper even, as to what is happening about Cooper and CP. There is far too much gossip going around regarding Cooper, is he going or is he staying. Swansea need to be straight with its fans and he clearly state what is happening. The more this goes on, then the more it is belived that Cooper is interested in the CP job, why else, if nothing to the contrary is given. So come on Mr. Winter, and do your job that must include clear, truthfull, and forthright communication with the fans of Swansea City