Time ticking for Palace’s Parish to hire new boss

Crystal Palace, 6/1 to finish bottom of the Premier League, are still managerless going into the second game of the season. Despite controversy surrounding Malky Mackay, following allegations from Vincent Tan, his former Cardiff City chief, he is still 6/1 to take the reins at the Eagles.

Although Glenn Hoddle has reportedly turned down the vacant post, having just joined QPR as a coach, he is 14/1 sixth favourite. The former England boss was given permission by Harry Redknapp to talk to Palace, though is understood to have snubbed the chance to.

Managers that have had talks so far are Mackay, caretaker Keith Millen (who is now 8/1 in the next manager market), and former Spurs boss Tim Sherwood, the favourite to take over at 6/5.

The Eagles host West Ham in their first home match of the campaign in their next fixture, in what will be a fiercely contested east London derby. After narrowly losing 2-1 to Arsenal at the Emirates in their Premier League opener, Palace will hope to put up a similar fight, and are 7/5 for victory.

Interestingly, Martin Jol is second favourite at 7/2, and the former Tottenham and Fulham manager knows this league well, mastermindsing a comprehensive 4-1 away win at Selhurst Park for the latter last October. Although he has never been in charge of a team that were among the favourites for relegation, he has a respectable record.

Dutch coach Jol was consistent in his time at Spurs, taking them to the then UEFA Cup quarter-finals, and gaining top six finishes in the league. While at Fulham, he improved the club’s Premier League status, leading them to ninth and 12th.

Steve Clarke is joint-third favourite for the job at 6/1, and the ex-West Brom boss is renowned for operating on a shoestring budget, and getting the best out of his players. He led his Baggies side to their best ever Premier League finish (and in the top-flight since 1982), in 2012/13, as the West Midlands outfit secured eighth place.

With the transfer window slamming shut on September 1st, Palace co-chairman Steve Parish must make an appointment soon, else he will leave the new manager with no time to add to the squad at Selhurst.