Only a work permit and the finalising of contracts with Lucien Favre's backroom team was keeping Crystal Palace from officially announcing the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss as their new manager; Palace had already begun discussing transfer plans with Favre after positive talks
Friday 25 June 2021 14:36, UK
Lucien Favre has had a last-minute change of heart and will not be appointed Crystal Palace manager, with the club now drawing up a new shortlist of candidates.
It us currently unclear if Frank Lampard and Eddie Howe remain on this list, while Sean Dyche is admired by many at the club - but there is a belief that it could be too late to bring the Burnley boss to Selhurst Park.
Sky Sports News exclusively revealed last Friday that Palace were keen to speak to Favre, who was sacked as Borussia Dortmund manager last December.
After a number of positive talks, Favre, 63, had agreed to become the new Palace manager and replace Roy Hodgson, who left the role at the end of the 2020/21 season.
Only a work permit and the finalising of contracts with his backroom team was keeping Palace from officially announcing his appointment.
The late U-turn is a significant blow to Palace as transfer plans with Favre were already under way.
The Swiss has admirers around Europe but told Palace he has not rejected them for another club, despite reports suggesting otherwise.
Favre became the frontrunner for the role after talks with former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo broke down.
Palace's initial preference was to appoint a manager with Premier League experience but with time ticking and a number of players contemplating their contractual situations, the club has relaxed its requirements to help speed up the appointment.
Favre's reputation for developing youth players had interested the Premier League side, who are insistent their next boss integrates players from their successful academy.
The Eagles have also considered Frank Lampard, Patrick Vieira, Swansea manager Steve Cooper, and highly-rated coach Valerien Ismael, who swapped Barnsley for West Brom on Thursday.
Hodgson departed his boyhood club after four years in charge and guided the Eagles to a 14th-placed finish in the top flight in his final season.
Players return to Palace training on July 5 - the board want a new manager in place by then.
They also have a number of players out of contract, while Wilfried Zaha wants the club to listen to any offers for him.
