Nuno Espirito Santo is close to completing a deal to become the new Crystal Palace manager, according to John Percy of The Telegraph.
The 47-year-old has been out of work since leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the season.
Nuno Espirito Santo Close to Becoming Crystal Palace Boss
Swift Return to Management
A move to Selhurst Park would signal a swift return to management for the Portuguese manager, having only confirmed his departure from Molineux on May 21.
Nuno has been highly sought after since then, with reports linking him to the vacant roles at Everton and Tottenham. However, it appears that he is now destined for South London.
The Eagles have been on the hunt for a new manager after Roy Hodgson confirmed that he would be stepping down at the end of the 2020/21 campaign after three-and-a-half-years in charge.
Palace have had their eyes set on several targets. Former Chelsea manager Frank Lampard was their initial choice to replace Hodgson, but he ruled himself out.
According to the report, the Eagles have also held talks with Swansea City manager Steve Cooper, as well as tracking the likes of Valerien Ismael and Burnley’s Sean Dyche.
However, it now appears that they have settled on Espirito Santo, with a deal close to being completed. The Portuguese had been in talks with Everton, but a deal to take him to South London could be sealed by the end of the week.
A Big Summer and a Statement of Intent for Palace
The appointment of the 47-year-old could be crucial to an important summer ahead for Palace and signals a statement of intent from the board.
Nuno would become only their second foreign manager in history following Frank de Boer. The Dutchman’s ill-fated spell left damage that Hodgson had to repair, but Santo’s Premier League experience will have played a huge factor in persuading Palace to appoint him.
The Portuguese boss was a popular figure at Molineux and barring an underwhelming final season, enjoyed a successful four years with Wolves.
Palace, though, could prove more challenging. He will be tasked with bringing the average age of the squad down as well as working with a new-look squad, with several players out of contract this summer.
However, should the move be completed, Nuno’s appointment would be extremely popular among the fanbase.
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