Juan Carlos Osorio is expected to take over at Colombian outfit America de Cali despite reports linking the former Mexico manager with Crystal Palace, speaking to Zona Libre, via Semana.
Oddly enough, America de Cali have appeared in the English press a number of times this week.
On the same day reports emerged suggesting highly rated winger Santiago Moreno is a summer transfer target for Leeds United, Rangers and Southampton, Crystal Palace were surprisingly tipped to replace the departing Roy Hodgson with 59-year-old Osorio.
How serious Palace’s interest is remains a mystery at this stage.
The likes of Steve Cooper, Valerien Ismael and Frank Lampard appear to be far higher on Steve Parish’s managerial wish-list at this stage.
Either way, a shock return to English football for Osorio – 20 years after he enjoyed a brief spell working alongside Kevin Keegan at Manchester City – seems unlikely.
America de Cali, who sit eighth in the Colombian top flight, are closing in on a deal that would see Osorio return to his homeland instead.
“The Osorio thing remains firm,” Tulio Gomez, a major shareholder at the South American outfit, said.
“Everything is agreed with Juan Carlos Osorio.”
Osorio famously masterminded Mexico’s thrilling victory over Germany at the 2018 World Cup but Crystal Palace supporters could be forgiven for favouring a less ‘left-field’ option as they look to move on from the Hodgson era.
And, in the eyes of former Palace owner Simon Jordan, there’s one stand-out candidate…
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