Who is in line to be the next Crystal Palace manager?

With nearly a year on since Niel Warnock left Selhurst Park the Eagles are once again searching for a new manager - what will be their third since Warnock's departure. Apparently 20 managers with Premier League or Championship experience have applied, so who are the likely candidates?

Chris Hughton: Hughton has been tipped as the favourite to be the next manager of the Eagles by some of the national papers over the weekend despite Chairman Steve Parish denying ever speaking to the former Newcastle boss and insisting his appearance at the 3-0 defeat to

Millwall on New Years Day was a coincidence. While Hughton eased his Newcastle side back into the Premier League last season at the first time of asking and was harshly dismissed by Toon chairman Mike Ashley I feel Hughton is not the man Palace need. He came away from the Newcastle job with a great deal of credit from fans and the players but to me questions still linger over his managerial capabilities. The Newcastle team that got promoted last season had the likes of Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith - all top flight players.

Steve Coppell: The Daily Mirror described Coppell as a shock contender for the role.

Why he is a shock contender I am struggling to work out, he would in many Palace fans eyes be the ideal man to replace Burley but there are worries whether he wants to manage again after his spell at Bristol City. Coppell is a true Palace legend and some thought he may take the reins last year after the departure of Warnock and now the club is stable with the January transfer window just opened it may be an even more appealing position. Others have suggested that Coppell could come in as a Director of Football role offering support to CPFC 2010 and the manager. What is certain at the minute surrounding Coppell is that Parish is going to talk to him about the role whether he sees him fit in or who is the ideal candidate is his mind.

Dougie Freedman: The current caretaker manager and Palace legend had the fans singing his name in Monday's crucial 1-0 home victory over fellow strugglers Preston North End. Concerns surrounding Freedman is his lack of experience but Parish has admitted that the result against Preston has left him with a dilemna. The former Palace frontman made some tough decisions in that game that perhaps showed he is not all that inexperienced at the helm of the dugout. He firstly bought on Kieran Cadogan for Stuart O'Keefe who went on to set up Steffen Iversen's debut goal. He then replaced the Norwegian forward for Calvin Andrew and subbed Wilfred Zaha for David Wright adopting a defensive system for the

remaining ten minutes.

Chris Coleman: Former Eagle Coleman was voted in Palace's centenary XI and is likely to

have put his name forward for the job. He has experience with Premier League side Fulham and Championship side Coventry as well as time abroad in Spain with Real Sociedad. He did well as Fulham manager with not a great squad especially after loosing Edwin van der Sar, Louis Saha, Steed Malbranque and Luis Boa Morte. After spending a year and a half at the Ricoh Arena he failed to really push them on as a club finishing last season just above the relegation zone in 19th place before being sacked.

Gareth Southgate: Another former Palace player that will be keen to get back into management since his departure from Middlesbrough. He will be eager to prove himself after a poor record at the Riverside but may pose something of a risk in my opinion. Didn't do much at Borough to convince many he is a decent manager and may need some time elsewhere to prove himself before his chance at Selhurst.

Possible Premier League managers that may have put their name forward may include Sam Allardyce, Paul Jewell, Alan Curbishley, Martin O'Neil or Phil Brown.

Whoever CPFC 2010 chose to replace Burley they must not rush into the decision despite the january transfer window being open and keep the faith with Dougie to do the job until a successor is found. For me the answer is to keep the young combination of Dean Austin and Freedman and install Coppell as Director of Football to guide them. They need to get someone in for the long term which they thought Burley was and if they are to look elsewhere from the Palace foundations then Alan Curbishley is one man who would fit the bill well.

Warnock set to leave Crystal Palace for rivals QPR

Warnock the right man, but not the only man

Growing speculation over Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock moving to Queens Park Rangers will worry many Palace fans who believe he is the right man to lift them out of their current turmoil.

While the Eagles are enjoying an exciting and money rewarding cup run their league form appears to be struggling as they dropped into the bottom three after a one nil home defeat to Coventry managed by former Palace player Chris Coleman.

Warnock has admitted that he is concerned over his future with Palace who are set to receive £1.5 million in compensation if the switch goes ahead.

However despite the compensation, which will be a welcomed acquisition for the Selhurst Park outfit, many will fear for the club’s future if Warnock leaves for their West London rivals.

There is no doubt that Warnock is the right man for the job with his passion and desire to win that shines through in Palace’s performances, but he is not the only man.

Ian Wright, who scored twice for Crystal Palace in their 3-3 FA Cup final against Manchester United in 1990, recently claimed that Warnock was not the right man for the job insisting: “They need a young manager with new ideas,” hinting at a possible move for himself.

“If I can be part of that, then it's something I'd have to consider,” he added. While Wright may not be the ideal candidate if a candidate at all to replace Warnock there are many other former Palace aces that could take and crucially want to take the job.

One ideal candidate and only person I feel that can replace Warnock is ex-Palace manager Steve Coppell. The former Reading boss has a soft spot for the south London club, as does the Palace faithful for him, after having four spells as manager.

In many cases the ideal scenario is often the most unlikely but it may not seem too distant especially after the departure of Simon Jordan who Coppell famously had numerous ‘personality clashes’ with.

When questioned by ITV’s Steve Rider before Palace’s dramatic home game with Villa Coppell didn’t deny that he might possibly, one day, play a part in their future.

Ian Wright also confirmed that he thought Coppell was thinking of getting involved again along with former owner Ron Noades.

But Coppell may not be the only man eager to take the job on with Gareth Southgate left jobless after being sacked as the Middlesbrough manager in October 2009.

The former Palace player will be eager to prove himself after a poor record at the Riverside but may pose something of a risk if appointed as Warnock’s successor. Southgate is a man that to me comes across as too nice in an end of season battle that will be fought hard to the very end.

With every vacant managers job there is always one rumoured possibility that shocks fans and could it be too daft to suggest a return for Steve Kember. The Palace legend performed a miracle by rescuing the Eagles from relegation in 2001 but left on bad terms under Jordan who promised Kember a ‘job for life’.

The manager’s job at Selhurst Park is not a very appealing one for experienced managers at the top of the English game and relying on the love of the club may prove crucial in attracting a manager that can lift us out of relegation and look ahead to a bright future.

If Warnock is be confirmed as QPR boss later this week – leaving many Palace fans, including me, devastated - there will be no better way to leave than to mastermind a shock win over Aston Villa in the fifth round replay at Villa Park on Wednesday.