Petrescu denies Palace link

Dan Petrescu has ruled himself out of the running to replace Ian Holloway as Crystal Palace boss
21 November 2013

Dan Petrescu has denied he is a candidate to become Crystal Palace manager and insisted he is happy at Dynamo Moscow.

The former Chelsea defender had been strongly linked with the post at Selhurst Park, which has been vacant since Ian Holloway departed almost a month ago.

But Petrescu told Sovetsky Sport: "First, I want to say that I do not conduct negotiations with other clubs when I'm under contract. If they spoke to someone, it was only to my agent.

"Secondly, I love England, I am pleased that the English clubs remember my name and I would work there, but right now it's impossible.

"The contract with Dynamo is for another year and a half and I'm happy here. I want to stay."

Former Stoke boss Tony Pulis has emerged as the favourite to take the reins at Palace, who are six points adrift of Barclays Premier League safety ahead of Saturday's trip to Hull.

There has been speculation Pulis could be appointed in time for the match at the KC Stadium but Palace confirmed that caretaker manager Keith Millen will conduct the pre-match press conference on Thursday.

Millen has been in charge for three games, picking up his first point in their most recent match when the Eagles held Everton to a goalless draw.

Speaking earlier this week, Millen told Sky Sports News: "I spoke to the chairman on Sunday. He asked me to organise this week's training and prepare for the Hull game on Saturday. That's as much as I know at the moment."

Ex-Real Madrid assistant manager Aitor Karanka was heavily linked with the post, only to take over at Middlesbrough last week.

Another reported target was Wales manager Chris Coleman, although he is also now out of the running after signing a new contract with the Welsh FA during the international break.

Former Inter boss Andrea Stramaccioni and, most surprisingly, ex-Palace boss Iain Dowie remain reported possibilities for the south Londoners, although Pulis has now emerged as the frontrunner.

Pulis was installed as the early favourite when Holloway left the club on October 23 with the Eagles having taken just three points from their opening eight games.

The Welshman guided Stoke to promotion to the Premier League in 2008 during his second spell in charge and engineered the club to five mid-table finishes as well as the FA Cup final in 2011 before departing by mutual consent last summer.

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