Wanderers make official approach for Palace boss Freedman
10:56am Sunday 21st October 2012 in Sport By Marc Iles
Wanderers have submitted an official approach for Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman.
The move was made by chairman Phil Gartside at the end of last week, and it is understood that the London club are yet to respond.
Glaswegian Freedman masterminded Palace's recent victory at the Reebok and had guided the Eagles into the top echelons of the Championship on a limited budget.
Speaking last week in his regular column for the Croydon Advertiser, Freedman seemed to assure Palace fans that he was not looking to move on to pastures new.
“I'm in the middle of building Crystal Palace Football Club, and when I picked the club up, we were in a dark place,” he said. “I think I'm halfway there in getting the club the way I want it to be, and I'm not the sort of guy to leave jobs half done."
But Wanderers are confident they will be able to reach a settlement with Palace, who are likely to fight for the man who has seven months remaining on his contract at Selhurst Park.
Freedman has taken charge of just 90 senior games since taking over the reins in 2011 but has built exciting youngsters such as Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolassie and Glen Murray into his side.
That work with a young squad has impressed the Wanderers hierarchy, and they have made the 38-year-old their number one choice.
Jimmy Phillips will remain in temporary charge heading into Tuesday night's game against Wolves, and it is also understood that he, Sammy Lee and Julian Darby could be part of the first team set up should Freedman come in.
