Tony Pulis Installed As Early Favourite For Crystal Palace Vacancy

By Paul Reece /

Former Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has emerged as the early favourite to replace Ian Holloway at Crystal Palace. The 55-year-old has been out of work since he quit the Potters in May following successful seven-year spell at the Britannia Stadium. Holloway resigned as Palace manager last night, less than a year after taking charge, and just eight games into the Premier League season. The Eagles have won just one game since their return to the top-flight, against fellow strugglers Sunderland, and lost 4-1 at Fulham on Monday night. Speculation about Holloway's future intensified after the game and the former Blackpool boss confirmed his exit claiming he did not have the energy for a relegation fight. Welshman Pulis was immediately installed as the favourite to take charge with Palace Chairman Steve Parish confirming they will consider the 55-year-old. Parish told TalkSport: "He's never been relegated and he's out of work. We'll look, 'I'm sure we'll try and contact him and if he's interested we'll have a chat with him and see where we go." The former Plymouth Argyle boss was in his second spell with the Potters and ended the club's 23-year absence from the top-flight. He also guided the club into the Europa League after his side lost 1-0 to Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley in 2011. Pulis is considered the odds-on favourite with many bookmakers, with former West Ham and Portsmouth boss Avram Grant next at 10/1, Former Palace manager Neil Warnock is third favourite at 16/1 with MK Dons boss Karl Robinson next at 20/1. Other names linked with the post include Roberto Di Matteo, Martin O'Neill, Chris Coleman and Celtic boss Neil Lennon. source - bbc football

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