Former Aston Villa and Birmingham City boss Alex McLeish has thrown his hat into the ring to be the next manager of Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace. The 54-year-old Scot, also known big his nickname Big Eck, has been out of work since an ill-fated six-week spell in charge of Nottingham Forest at the turn of the year. "There hasn't been any contact yet but I am available as a free agent," McLeish is quoted as telling Sky Sports News in The Guardian. "Crystal Palace are in a position that's precarious for them but there's still a lot of points to play for. "I've had those kind of challenges before and I've had some success and some failures, but if you've got a fighting spirit and good players playing to their strengths, then why can't Palace stay up?" McLeish's interest in filling the Selhurst Park hotseat comes as odds on former Eagles player Chris Coleman returning as manager have been slashed dramatically following several big money bets. Coleman, 43, is currently coaching his country Wales, but is yet to sign a new contract with is current deal expiring in November. Former Stoke City boss Tony Pulis remains the bookmakers' favourite to take over at Palace. Other candidates linked to the vacancy include Martin O'Neill and Neil Warnock, who has managed the club before.
Jamie Clark is a qualified Web Journalist after undergoing professional training at the University of Sheffield. A prolific and accredited sports writer, he also enjoys classic comedy, historic fiction, 80s music and heritage.
