The Crystal Palace caretaker manager Lennie Lawrence has confirmed that he will not be looking to get the role as the manager of Crystal Palace on a permanent basis due to his loyalty to the former manager Dougie Freedman. Bolton recently got their permission to speak with the Crystal Palace manager accepted. As a result, the confirmation about Dougie Freedman being the replacement for Owen Coyle at Bolton Wanderers is expected to arrive in the next few days. Lennie Lawrence has been named as the caretaker manager of the club until a replacement is found.
Lennie Lawrence impressed in his first match as the Crystal Palace manager after the club managed to beat the table leaders Leicester City for the first time at home this season. Speaking after the match, the caretaker manager said that he could not be more satisfied with the result. About the possibility of him in applying for the job, he said that he will not be doing so because he is loyal to Dougie Freedman. If Lennie Lawrence is indeed offered the job, then it would be his seventh managerial career. He has also been the director of football at a few clubs before arriving as the assistant manager at Crystal Palace in 2011.
“I have a loyalty to Dougie. I will not be applying for the job. There has been interest from Bolton but I’m here and will do this job to the best of my ability. Whoever gets it has a golden chance. There’s something very special here. It’s unusual that you get the opportunity to take on a group of players that is so together and riding here in the top four. Whoever takes charge will have a side that has every chance of maintaining a play-off challenge,” said Lawrence after the match.