Iain Dowie may be set for a return to Crystal Palace after having impressed chairman Steve Parish in initial talks.
The 48-year old is looking to take the reigns after Ian Holloway left on October 23rd. Dowie has shown his eagerness to return to management and has outlined his ambition to turn Crystal Palace’s fortunes around.
Former Chelsea and Sheffield Wednesday full-back Dan Petrescu is the other contender for the spot, but Dowie appears to be closing in on the post though; and is waiting conformation from the Palace board.
Dowie’s appointment could prove to be an unpopular one, given the way Dowie ended up managing Palace’s arch-rivals Charlton shortly after leaving Selhurst Park in 2006.
But Parish is more worried with Palace’s current situation at the bottom of the Premier League and finding a solution is more important to the board, before it’s too late.
Sportsmail understands Dowie’s energy and enthusiasm has convinced the Palace board that he is the man for the job. This would bring the weeks of uncertainty as to who will replace Holloway to a close.
Former Northern Ireland striker Dowie has been away from the management scene since leaving Hull in the summer of 2010 and has been working in the media since then. He is a regular contributor to Sky Sports as a pundit, but Dowie has recently be chasing a return to management.
After emerging as a late candidate for the Crystal Palace manager job, Dowie looks to have beaten rival Petrescu to the post and may soon get his wish for a return to management.
By Rory Whitelaw
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