Crystal Palace reject an official approach from Bolton to speak to manager Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman: Crystal Palace have refused Bolton permission to speak to their manager

Crystal Palace have rejected an official approach from Bolton to speak to their manager Dougie Freedman about the vacant position at the Reebok Stadium.

Freedman has led the Eagles to fourth in the Championship on a shoestring budget but speculation over the weekend linked him to the Bolton hotseat.

That led to Wanderers contacting Palace as they looked to hold talks with Scotsman Freedman as a potential replacement for Owen Coyle, who was sacked from his post at the Reebok Stadium on 9 October.

But the London club are not prepared for talks to take place and they issued a statement to that effect on their official website.

"Crystal Palace FC can confirm that they have received a request from Bolton Wanderers to speak to Dougie Freedman regarding their vacant manager's position," it read.

"Permission has not been granted for Dougie to speak to Bolton."

Former Palace striker Freedman took over from George Burley at Selhurst Park in January 2011 and led them to the semi-finals of the Carling Cup last season.

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