Tony Pulis Installed As Early Favourite For Crystal Palace Vacancy

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