The Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish, is attempting to persuade Dougie Freedman to reject an offer from Newcastle to become their sporting director after the former Scotland striker held talks about replacing Dan Ashworth.
Freedman, who has also been linked with Manchester United thanks to his impressive record at Selhurst Park, met Newcastle officials last week and is understood to be weighing up whether to step into the shoes of Ashworth, who remains on gardening leave before an expected move to Old Trafford to become their sporting director. Parish is determined to retain the 49-year-old, who had successful spells as a Palace player and manager before returning as sporting director in 2017.
