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Get French Football News features editor Adam White fears Crystal Palace could be relegated after appointing Patrick Vieira as their new manager.

Vieira signed a three-year contract last weekend and succeeds former England boss Roy Hodgson, who walked away from Selhurst Park at the end of the season.

The Frenchman, who won the Premier League title three times during his playing career with Arsenal, was not Palace’s first choice to take over from Hodgson.

Nuno Espirito Santo, who has since taken charge of Tottenham Hotspur, could not agree terms with the club before former Borussia Dortmund chief Lucien Favre passed up the opportunity to move into the Selhurst Park hotseat.

As a result, Vieira has been handed the reins following mixed spells at the helm of Major League Soccer franchise New York City FC and Nice.

The 45-year-old was sacked as Nice’s boss in December, following a five-match losing run, and Adam White does not feel Vieira is the right man to take Palace forward.

Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast, he said: “I think it’s going to be difficult. Is he going to improve on what Hodgson did? No, I don’t think so. Will he keep them up? Maybe.

“Hopefully he isn’t as bad as Frank De Boer but I think it’s a huge risk.”

Fulham have been dealt a major blow in their bid to bring Ike Ugbo to Craven Cottage this summer.

What’s the talk?

That’s according to a report by All Nigeria Soccer, who claim that Scott Parker’s side have missed out on the signing of the Chelsea youngster, for whom there has been a great amount of interest in recent weeks.

It is reported that, along with Fulham, Monaco, FC Rostov, CSKA Moscow and Bologna have also failed in a bid to sign the 22-year-old this summer, with Watford, Eintracht Frankfurt and Genk being the remaining three teams in the race.

Parker will be gutted

Considering how highly Ugbo impressed during his most recent loan spell away from Chelsea, the news that Fulham will not be welcoming the centre-forward to Craven Cottage this summer is sure to leave Scott Parker gutted.

Indeed, over his 32 Jupiler Pro League appearances for Cercle Brugge last term, the £4.05m-rated youngster scored 16 goals and created two big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.8 shots and making 0.5 key passes per game.

These returns saw the £38k-per-week striker earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 6.79, ranking him as Yves Vanderhaeghe’s eighth-best performer in the top tier of Belgian football.

Ugbo also impressed on a previous loan spell at Roda JC Kerkrade in 2019/20, with the former England U20 international scoring 13 goals and proving three assists over 28 appearances in the Keuken Kampioen Divisie.

As such, it certainly appears as if the player whom the Belgian media dubbed “decisive” centre-forward would have made a fine addition to Parker’s attacking arsenal at Fulham ahead of next season – a campaign in which the Cottagers will be looking to secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

However, unfortunately for the 40-year-old and his club, it now very much appears as if the Chelsea prospect will be plying his trade elsewhere next season.

In other news: Fulham dealt transfer blow over “immense” £31k-p/w beast that’ll leave Parker gutted

Celtic’s lack of urgency to find a new manager ahead of the summer transfer window was alarming.

They bided their time to bring Eddie Howe to Paradise and were made to wait two months before a deal fell through on the eve of the transfer window opening.

It was a baffling turn of events with the Hoops’ recruitment plans in disarray.

What’s the word?

Fortunately, the Bhoys now have a new manager in place in Ange Postecoglou and they are already making moves in the transfer market.

Liam Shaw has become the first arrival of the Australian’s Parkhead tenure but there should be a lot more to come.

One name the manager could bring back to Glasgow is Erik Sviatchenko.

The Denmark international spent two years at Celtic but is now with FC Midtjylland in his homeland where he’s helped steer them to a league title win and the group stages of the Champions League.

However, Celtic are now reportedly keen on bringing back to the club.

Ajer replacement

With Kristoffer Ajer linked with a number of clubs around Europe, including Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig, it would be a particular surprise if he stuck around.

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If he does indeed head for the departure lounge, they should look towards Sviatchenko to replace his attitude and bullish nature at the heart of the defence.

Earlier this term, Ajer was lauded as one of the few players who were actually leading by example in this Celtic side. John Hartson commented:

“He’s grabbing the bull by the horns and he’s almost dragging the team through, even to these draws. You see him making these lung-bursting runs forward, he’s marauding with that big stride, he’s challenging, on his backside, making blocks, in the opposition’s penalty area.”

Sviatchenko is a player cut from a similar cloth. The 29-year-old played 63 times throughout the years for the Hoops and despite claims of a fallout with Brendan Rodgers, he led by example and knows what it means to be a Bhoy.

He was filmed celebrating the club’s Scottish Cup final over Hearts back in December and has green and white coursing through his veins. Speaking after his departure, he said: “Celtic will always be in my heart. I will always have a connection to the club.”

For a player like that to arrive under a new manager would be incredibly beneficial.

Rodgers described the defender as a “good guy” and it’s easy to see why. Sviatchenko has an infectious personality and for what he lacks in pace, he makes up for in his reading of the game.

In the Champions League last term, the former Hoop made as many as four interceptions per game and won 3.2 aerial duels a match.

This would not be the worst way of replacing Ajer; Postecoglou should certainly consider bringing him back to Scotland.

AND in other news, Celtic begin talks to sign “clinical” 31-goal bully, he’d be great for Postecoglou…

Sunderland owner Kyril Louis-Dreyfus has revealed that Lee Johnson will remain in charge of the club next season.

What’s been said?

In an interview with talkSPORT, the 24-year-old Black Cats majority shareholder gave his backing to the incumbent Sunderland manager, suggesting that, while he was disappointed with the play-off semi-final defeat against Lincoln City, he would not be making any impulsive decisions over the 39-year-old’s future.

Louis-Dreyfus said: “I was disappointed, like everyone else, that the season didn’t finish as we expected it to finish. Anything can happen in the play-offs and unfortunately we fell short, but I think the players deserve credit.

“Lee Johnson was a long-term appointment from the start and we all knew, regardless of the outcome this season, he would be with us next season. I think he’s the right man to lead us to promotion.”

Fans will be split

Following the disappointment of the defeat in the play-off semi-finals, it was reported that Louis-Dreyfus was considering Johnson’s position ahead of the club’s third consecutive season in League One, however, these latest comments would appear to put any doubt regarding the manager’s job to bed.

It could easily be argued that this is a good decision by the club’s owner, as the 39-year-old showed that he is more than capable of getting a tune out of the Sunderland team, having led his side on a run of 12 straight league games without defeat earlier in the season, before a number of injuries suffered by several key players derailed the club’s promotion push somewhat.

Furthermore, Johnson also ended the club’s 48-year wait for a victory at Wembley this term, with his side lifting the Papa John’s Trophy back in March.

However, whether or not the Mackem fanbase view Louis-Dreyfus’ backing of the former Bristol City boss as a good thing is debatable, as footage emerged shortly after the play-off loss that appeared to show a number of fans extremely unhappy with the 39-year-old.

On the other hand, a number of Sunderland fans on Twitter appeared to give their backing to the manager, with one stating that he is “100% behind” Johnson ahead of next season, while another called for their fellow Black Cats supporters to “back this guy.”

As such, it would seem as if the fans are somewhat split as to whether they agree with Louis-Dreyfus’ backing of Johnson, and only time will tell to determine which of the faction will prove to be right.

In other news: Sunderland drop update on “desperate” £6k-p/w flop that is sure to leave fans livid – opinion

Leeds United have been handed a major setback in their continued battle with RB Leipzig over Jean-Kevin Augustin.

What’s the story?

Speaking last summer, The Athletic’s Phil Hay admitted that the whole situation had become complicated, and that it could well head towards a major legal battle. He said: ” Sources at Leipzig tell us that Leeds are trying to avoid paying on the basis that the contract stated Augustin should be signed if Leeds were promoted before the start of June.

“Leipzig argue that, in good faith, that should be taken to mean the end of the season (which was obviously delayed by COVID). But Leeds and Bielsa do not want to take Augustin. This could well end up with FIFA or in an arbitration process.”

And now, the German club themselves have said that in the “first instance”, FIFA have sided with them on a positive basis, although it is added that the judgment is not yet final, while, of course, the Whites will have the right to appeal.

Radrizzani will be fuming

While the decision isn’t final just yet, this latest update on Augustin’s case will surely have Andrea Radrizzani absolutely fuming.

The Whites stand the prospect of having to shell out the £18m that was allegedly agreed between them and Leipzig over Augustin’s permanent transfer, and that would blow a major hole in their finances, just when they’re looking ahead to the summer transfer window.

At £18m, that kind of fee would actually represent the joint-third highest sum Leeds would pay out for a player, with only the deals for Rio Ferdinand and last summer’s signing Rodrigo costing more – a real indication of just how desperate Radrizzani and the Whites will be not to pay it.

Augustin ended up playing just three times in the Championship, totaling a measly 48 minutes of football for Leeds, scoring no goals and providing no assists – his only outings for the club all came in the month of February, when he featured against Nottingham Forest, Brentford and Bristol City.

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The last thing the Leeds owner will want is to be paying up a significant sum of money for Augustin, which is why he’ll certainly be frustrated with the latest development, especially as the player is now registered with Nantes, so Leeds would be shelling out money for a player who they will never actually have in the squad.

This whole situation has become very messy.

Meanwhile, Marcelo Bielsa’s side have entered into talks with this Premier League star…

Leeds United have received a potential boost in their attempts to sign Norwich City star Emiliano Buendia during the summer transfer window.

The Lowdown: Summer signing expected

The Whites’ first season back in the Premier League is over and it will be seen as a huge success by Marcelo Bielsa and his players. Sunday’s 3-1 win at home to West Brom saw Leeds clinch a ninth-placed finish, but that doesn’t mean that new signings won’t be coming in this summer.

Kicking on from this current position has to be the aim in 2021/22, but for that to happen, undoubted quality will likely need to be added to Bielsa’s squad.

The Latest: Leeds handed Buendia boost

According to The Athletic, Norwich realise that Buendia wants to take ‘the next step in his career’, with a summer departure from Carrow Road now expected.

Leeds have been linked with the 24-year-old in recent weeks and it is believed that a fee of more than £40m will be required to sign him.

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The Verdict: Excellent addition for Whites

Buendia is a superb creative player who could excel at Leeds, bringing an extra dimension to their attack. He was hailed as ‘tenacious’ by teammate Max Aarons in an interview last year, suggesting that the Argentine is also strong off the ball, averaging 2.4 tackles in the Championship this season.

He has enjoyed a wonderful campaign in the second tier, scoring 15 goals and chipping in with 16 assists, the latter of which was the best tally in the entire division. He has also shown that he can impress in the Premier League before, registering a goal and seven assists in 2019/20 despite Norwich being relegated.

While £40m is clearly a huge amount of money – it would be a club-record transfer for Leeds – Buendia could be at the level to take Leeds up another gear. With Norwich accepting that he’ll probably be moving on, this is the time for the Whites to strike.

In other news, Leeds have been urged to sign a Premier League attacker this summer. Find out who it is here.

Leeds United look set to enjoy an exciting summer transfer window as news emerges from Thorp Arch about Marcelo Bielsa’s plans.

What’s the story?

The Whites have enjoyed a fine first season back in the Premier League and recently picked up some outstanding results against some of the league’s big boys, including a win over champions-elect Manchester City.

Football Insider have now claimed that a Leeds source has told them that “director of football Victor Orta is compiling a shortlist of midfield anchormen targets with the pedigree to provide cover and competition for (Kalvin) Phillips”.

The report added that the holding midfield role “has been identified as a key position for squad improvement by manager Marcelo Bielsa”.

Bielsa will be buzzing

Make no mistake about it, when Kalvin Phillips hasn’t been involved, Leeds have just looked a completely different team, and understandably so given his importance. In the ten games in which he hasn’t taken to the field in all competitions, the Whites have lost eight times, with their only victories coming against Southampton and Aston Villa earlier on in the season.

Bielsa doesn’t have a real like-for-like replacement for the England international, and it was a damning indicator that Robin Koch filled the holding midfield role against Brighton at the weekend despite being a centre-back by trade.

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It’s exactly why the Leeds manager will be buzzing that Orta is already getting things underway in terms of signing a new holding midfielder to help provide some competition for Phillips and also offer much-needed depth in that position.

Meanwhile, this Leeds transfer target delivered a masterclass at the weekend…

A journalist has claimed that Newcastle United are ‘ready’ to change manager, with Gennaro Gattuso named as a potential successor to Steve Bruce.

Writing in his latest piece for Calciomercato, Marco Giordano has claimed that both the St. James’ Park faithful and Wolves are looking to bring a new coach into their respective clubs, with the North East club’s interest in Gattuso only just coming into fruition.

Newcastle should be wary over Gattuso

While Bruce’s time on Tyneside could be up in the eyes of some members of the Toon Army, the Magpies should be wary over appointing Gattuso should the former end up leaving.

There is no doubt that the 43-year-old had a glittering playing career, in which he won the FIFA World Cup with Italy and two UEFA Champions League titles with AC Milan to name just a few major honours (Transfermarkt).

However, his time as a manager has not always been successful, having being sacked at both FC Sion and Palermo as well as underwhelming spells at Milan and his current club Napoli, with the latter currently at risk of failing to qualify for the UCL as they sit outside of the qualification spots at the moment.

Although a change of boss may be the way forward at NUFC, perhaps they should think twice before moving for a maverick like Gattuso.

In other news, find out which Magpie Liam Kennedy has slammed for his displays so far this season here!

Joelinton is not a £40 million player, that much is obvious to anyone that’s seen him play. Former Magpies defender Steve Howey has been discussing rumours with Football FanCast that the club were offered him for just £20 million before they threw a club-record fee at Hoffenheim.

Despite his failures in front of goal since he arrived on Tyneside in 2019, Steve Bruce has always persisted with Joelinton having handed him 69 appearances in the Premier League over two seasons which has yielded a return of just six goals.

If it wasn’t for Callum Wilson’s 12 goals and the arrival of Joe Willock with eight goals, the Magpies would have had a lot more nervous end to the season and that comes down to them getting recruitment spot on, something that didn’t happen in 2019.

It will baffle Newcastle fans that the club turned down their current number nine for half the price they ended up paying, but that is what may have happened as Howey exclusively told Football FanCast:

“You have to look into that deal and think, who did that deal and why was it that much? Surely someone must have looked at him and realised that he’s not worth that much.

“You hear rumours that he was offered to Newcastle for £20 million but they turned it down before they went and paid £40 million for him the following summer.”

Lee Charnley has previously admitted that the club had agreed a deal to sign Joelinton earlier in 2019 but they could not proceed with the deal because former manager, Rafa Benitez, did not want to sign the player, something which proved smart.

There have been reports suggesting that Bruce will not be able to sign players for anything close to what Joelinton cost as Mike Ashley is set to hand the manager an embarrassing transfer budget of just £10 million for this upcoming transfer window.

Incoming Celtic chief executive Dominic McKay looks set to make changes to the “entire business model” at Parkhead.

That’s according to finance expert Kieran Maguire, who was speaking exclusively to Football Insider.

Celtic announced last week that McKay will leave his role within Scottish Rugby on Friday, allowing him to begin his work with the Hoops next Monday – 10 weeks earlier than initially planned.

Peter Lawwell will stick around to help with a smooth transition at Celtic Park for McKay, with the 61-year-old set to retire at the end of June.

Talking to Football Insider regarding McKay’s arrival in seven days time, Maguire believes that big changes are imminent. He said:

“If you look at any business, the culture of the business is determined at the top.

“Dermot Desmond is not a hands-on owner. With Peter Lawwell going and the manager going as well, there’s a bit of a vacuum.

“Celtic have got to start planning for the post-Lawwell era. They’ve also got to plan for a post-Neil Lennon era.

“This season has clearly not been successful. Celtic’s entire business model will now be challenged to an extent.”

Transfer Tavern take

One of McKay’s first major tasks could be to help bring in a new first team manager, as well as looking to fill the newly-created director of football role.

During the coming months, McKay could get some important building blocks in place, and it seems as if Maguire thinks the club’s “entire business model will now be challenged” as a result of his impending arrival.

In our view, bringing McKay in now instead of July, as initially planned, is a positive move. It will allow him to settle into life in Glasgow ahead of the 2021/22 campaign, giving him plenty of time to have his say on some major off-field decisions.

In other news: Celtic could make big loss on Odsonne Edouard, find out more here.