Steve Cooper has emerged as an 'ideal candidate' for the manager's role at Crystal Palace, according to Wales Online.

Cooper has 'long been fancied' for the position after it was announced in the final week of the 2020/21 season that Roy Hodgson's time at Selhurst Park would come to an end.

Palace are now keen to 'go in a different direction', a feature of which will be a greater emphasis on youth.

And Cooper has an impressive track record when it comes to overseeing talent, having led England to the Under-17 World Cup four years ago.

The Welshman has led Swansea City to the Championship play-offs in back-to-back seasons.

They were beaten by Brentford on both occasions, first in the 2019/20 semifinals and most recently in the Wembley showpiece.

Palace had been on the verge of appointing former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Nuno Espirito Santo before the deal broke down over Nuno's backroom staff demands.

Twitter fan feed CPFC Transfers HQ relayed the Cooper report, and here's how fans reacted.

Crystal Palace fans urge club not to appoint Steve Cooper

"Really hope not, just as I’ve renewed my season ticket, typical"

Credit: @dalboy12

"How uninspiring an appointment that would be. He looks as old as Roy and didn’t exactly set the championship alight with Swansea."

Credit: @7superstar

"Send us down with him, cheap option"

Credit: @MarkDre44138040

"Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse..."

Credit: @420Burnard

"No, don't want him"

Credit: @DeanHil29635442

"Why are we such a boring club?"

Credit: @cpfcjj89

In other news, fans reacted to this pre-season announcement.