• Premier League

O'Neill, Coleman join Palace manager race

O'Neill hasn't managed since leaving Sunderland in March © PA Photos

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Crystal Palace are reportedly now considering Martin O'Neill and Chris Coleman as the search for Ian Holloway's successor continues.

Palace co-chairman Steve Parish had earlier confirmed he intended to speak to former Stoke City boss Pulis, and The Guardian reports that initial talks have been held.

The paper also claims O'Neill has also spoken to Palace about the vacancy. The ex-Sunderland manager had been the favourite to take charge of Republic of Ireland, but Mick McCarthy has since emerged as a leading candidate for that role.

However, The Guardian suggests both Pulis and O'Neill would need "plenty of convincing" if they were to take the reins at Selhurst Park, with the salary demands a potential stumbling block.

The Daily Mirror, meanwhile, believes Palace have switched their attentions from Pulis to Wales manager Chris Coleman.

Coleman, who played for the Eagles for four years in the 1990s, will be available when his Wales contract expires next month, and he has yet to decide whether to prolong his tenure. Speaking generally about potential candidates at the weekend, Parish set out criteria for the role that suggest the 43-year-old former Fulham and Coventry City manager could fit the bill.

"I think Premier League experience is a plus," Parish said. "Maybe a young manager, with someone who has Premier League experience to help them. We need someone the players will look up to and respect from the moment they walk into the dressing room. That will be a big plus.

"And a connection to the club - it never hurts. People get more time if there is an affection from fans towards someone for their past heroics. We're looking for the usual kind of things, but in the end we need someone who believes they can stop us getting relegated. First and foremost, we need someone who believes that and has an ability to go and do it."

Palace parted company with Holloway following the 4-1 defeat to Fulham on October 21, and have since fallen to the foot of the table after Saturday's 2-0 loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal, with caretaker manager Keith Millen in charge.

Millen told the Croydon Advertiser on Tuesday that he does expect the club to rush into an appointment.

"The chairman rang me on Monday to thank me for the weekend against Arsenal," he said. "I think he's confident enough that he doesn't have to rush into bringing someone in, so he's more than happy for me to continue and prepare the team for West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

"He's happy in that sense that he doesn't have to rush and panic into appointing someone. It's nice that he's got confidence in me to carry on with the job and it gives him more time to interview people, but I don't know who he might be talking to."

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