Crystal Palace have made contact with representatives of Lucien Favre as they step up the search to replace Roy Hodgson, with the former Borussia Dortmund manager expected to hold talks in the coming days.
Favre has been out of work since being sacked by Dortmund in December having guided them to second-place finishes during two full seasons in charge. The former Switzerland midfielder is believed to be keen to manage in the Premier League and is understood to have interest from other clubs, with Everton linked with the 63-year-old in recent days.
The former Liverpool manager Rafael Benítez has also emerged as a candidate to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Goodison Park, as has Nuno Espírito Santo, whose talks with Palace broke down this month after concerns over his demands.
Favre is understood to have been identified by Palace’s co-chairman Steve Parish as a leading contender because of his reputation for building attacking teams and blooding young players. Burnley’s Sean Dyche is also thought to remain a contender even though any move is likely to be contingent on sizeable compensation.
Parish and the sporting director, Dougie Freedman, have been leading the search for a manager. Parish admitted on Tuesday that it had been “challenging”. He told the BBC: “We have to find the right person to help us do that. Not only immediately but [someone who] will also help us with the young players we want to bring through. So, it’s a big decision, these things take longer than you would like.”
Parish admitted he would consider offers for Wilfried Zaha, with the Ivory Coast forward entering the final two years of his contract and keen to move. “We understand his position,” Parish said. “It’s no secret that he would like to challenge himself.” He added: “But it has to be right for the football club. He understands that as well.”
