Alex McLeish has declared his interest in becoming the new manager of Crystal Palace.
The odds on Wales manager Chris Coleman taking over at Selhurst Park have shortened dramatically in the last 24 hours following a flurry of bets.
But Aberdeen Gothenburgh Great and former Scotland and Rangers manager McLeish has thrown his hat into the ring for the position, which has been vacant since Ian Holloway’s departure last Wednesday. Holloway guided Palace into the English Premier League through the play-offs, but lost the respect of the players and left by mutual consent with the team sitting bottom of the table.
McLeish has English top-flight managerial experience with Birmingham and Aston Villa, although he twice took the Blues down to the second tier.
The Scot has been eager to get back into football since leaving Nottingham Forest in February and Palace are one of the clubs on his radar.
McLeish said: “There hasn’t been any contact yet but I am available as a free agent. Crystal Palace are in a position that’s precarious for them but there are 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?”
Coleman has yet to speak publicly on the idea of succeeding Holloway. However, the 43-year-old has yet to commit his future to Wales beyond November, when his contract expires, despite being offered a new deal.
Coleman has strong links with Palace, having been a feted member of the playing staff for four years during the 1990s. Martin O’Neill and Tony Pulis are reported to have held talks with Palace, while Neil Warnock’s name has also been mentioned. Caretaker manager Keith Millen will be in charge for Saturday’s game against West Brom.
Scotland midfielder Robert Snodgrass will continue to be assessed by Norwich City’s medical staff after being released from hospital on Tuesday night with a concussion.
Snodgrass suffered the injury after a clash of heads with Manchester United defender Rafael in the 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat at Old Trafford.
The player received on-pitch treatment after suffering a blow to an eye socket and was taken to hospital.