11:02am Wednesday 7th June 2006
By Stuart Pink
Crystal Palace could be about to launch an audacious attempt to lure former AC Milan and Inter coach Alberto Zaccheroni to Selhurst Park.
The 53-year-old Italian has been hoping to land a job in England since his departure from Inter last summer and Eagles chairman Simon Jordan and director of football Bob Dowie are reported to be meeting him this week in an attempt to convince to him take over from Iain Dowie.
Last week Bob Dowie said the club's selection process would be narrowed down from seven names to four and one of those contenders was a "massive name" abroad which is reported to be Zaccheroni.
Persuading the Italian to take up the Eagles hot-seat would be a major coup for Jordan but doubts remain whether the Serie A winner would want to join a Championship club, rather than wait for an opportunity to take charge of a Premiership club which was his original target.
Last month Zaccheroni indicated he has had discussions with English clubs sounding out the possibility of working in the Premiership and is an admirer of English football.
"I like the fair play of English players, their enthusiasm and the fact that the players always give everything, said Zaccheroni. "I also love the passion of the supporters."
Zaccheroni's compatriot Claudio Ranieri is also believed to be in the running to replace Iain Dowie and has been continually linked with a return to England since he was sacked by Valencia two seasons ago after taking over from Raphael Benitez.
But again Jordan and Bob Dowie will have to convince Ranieri to take a step down and manage in the second tier of English football, a stage unfamiliar to the ex-Chelsea boss.
Despite speculation surrounding foreign candidates in the frame for the Palace job the favourites remain the ones closer to home.
Hull City boss Peter Taylor is the fans choice, after he topped a Croydon Guardian poll on our website with 54.1 per cent of the vote ahead of Graeme Souness who received 16.3 per cent.
England U21 boss Taylor has already spoken to Charlton this summer before Dowie was appointed and would be keen on the post, but would be at pains to avoid more speculation regarding his future at the KC Stadium.
Souness has been out of work since bring sacked by Newcastle in February and was the early favourite, but interest from Turkish side Trabzonspor could see his preference swayed.
Young managers such as Luton's Mike Newell and Burnley's Steve Cotterill would also be in contention.
Bob Dowie said: "We're looking for someone who is enthusiastic and with a proven track record to take the club on to the next level.
"We're not necessarily looking for a young manager, though some of our candidates do fall into that area."
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