Tony Pulis remains the favourite to take the hot seat at Crystal Palace following the shock departure of Ian Holloway however it is taking some time to make the appointment fielding rumours the parties are some distance in agreeing terms.
The Guardian has reported that Pulis wants a wage of £1.5 million a year to take over at Palace which is a significant increase on what Holloway was earning. Pulis would also want a substantial bonus should he avoid relegation.
Pulis has never been relegated over a 21-year coaching career at six clubs and as he is without a club at them moment he is seen as the ideal choice. Pulis’s latest role was seen as a great achievement in gaining promotion with Stoke City and establishing them as a Premier League club. He also guided Stoke into Europe after loosing the FA Cup to Manchester City.
Pulis’s style of football at Stoke came under criticism from fans and also fellow managers who described Stoke as a long ball team and over aggressive. This led to the eventual dismissal of Pulis as Stoke wanted to move in a different direction and employ a new manager (Mark Hughes) who can deliver attractive football.
If Pulis does not take the role there is a shortlist of managers who could be next in line. Chris Coleman has been touted as one of the favourites along with Martin O’Neill and Alan Pardew has reportedly announced he would be interested in the job.
Other possible candidates include Avram Grant, Neil Warnock, Alex McLeish, Stuart Pearce and Roberto Di Matteo who are all unattached at the moment and most would jump at a return to the top flight. Current caretaker boss Keith Millen has ruled himself out of the running stating “I’m not the right man” and has not applied for the position.
Source: DSG
