Source: Bournemouth_Echo
Cherries: Eddie was first choice with Palace
CRYSTAL Palace co-chairman Steve Parish has described Eddie Howe as a fantastic guy after admitting the Cherries boss had been their number one target.[LNB] Howe was offered the manager's position at Selhurst Park after impressing Parish and the Eagles board during a lengthy interview at the end of last week.[LNB] And although it is understood Howe was on the verge of accepting on Tuesday, a last-minute hitch saw him have a change of heart and decide to remain at Dean Court.[LNB] Howe is also believed to have had a six-hour interview with Charlton, while the 33-year-old was also being linked with a vacancy at Championship outfit Burnley.[LNB] Palace subsequently appointed caretaker manager Dougie Freedman as the club's new boss and co-chairman Parish said: Probably, at the back of our mind, we wanted a younger approach and somebody who worked in a modern way. We wanted someone who had played the game until fairly recently.[LNB] It's no secret we were interested in Eddie I'm not going to suddenly pretend we didn't want him. He is very much in the same vein as Dougie but has got a couple of years' more experience. We looked on that favourably and it maybe just tipped the balance.[LNB] We talked to Eddie and we liked him I think he's a fantastic guy. We spoke to him and his assistant but they decided to stay at Bournemouth and I'm genuinely pleased for them and their fans. I wish them all the best.[LNB] Now I want to concentrate on Palace. We've got somebody very much in the same vein. Dougie hasn't got a couple of years' experience but he has a bit more knowledge of the Championship.[LNB]
