Andros Townsend believes Nuno Espirito Santo would be a ‘great appointment’ for Crystal Palace but fears Everton will win the race for the former Wolves manager, as he told talkSPORT (2 June, 9.50am).
As it stands, Palace are in pole position to win the race for a coach who dragged Wolverhampton Wanderers from the depths of the Championship to the quarter-finals of the Europa League in the blink of an eye.
The Sun reports that Nuno is in talks over a move that would see him take Roy Hodgson’s seat in the Selhurst Park dugout.
The chequered flag is not yet in sight, however, with Everton and Palace suddenly wheel-to-wheel, sparks flying and the race heating up.
The unexpected departure of Carlo Ancelotti on Tuesday afternoon means the Toffees have now joined their Premier League rivals in pursuit of the former FC Porto and Valencia boss.
And Townsend believes that Crystal Palace now have a much tougher task on their hands as they look to fight off competition from a more affluent, ambitious top-flight club for Nuno’s signature.
“If it happens, it would be a great appointment,” said Townsend, the £13 million winger whose Selhurst Park contract has just a few weeks left to run.
“I’m sure there’s a long way to go, I’m sure they’re interviewing other people.
“Everton are in the hunt now so I fear (Nuno) is someone they will look at as well.”
While Everton have the basis of a very impressive Premier League squad at their disposal, with Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Ben Godfrey and Lucas Digne all plying their trade at Goodison Park, the Crystal Palace job looks a far harder one on paper.
The Eagles could lose 14 first-team players on free transfers next month with Palace’s next manager, whoever that may be, under pressure to build almost an entirely new squad on a shoestring budget.
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