Crystal Palace target Tony Pulis

London: Crystal Palace will approach Tony Pulis as they begin hunting for a new boss.

The south London club parted with Ian Holloway after a run of seven defeats in eight Premier League games.

Palace co-chairman Steve Parish will contact Pulis, who left Stoke in the summer, about the prospect of replacing Holloway.

“Tony Pulis has got Premier League experience, he’s never been relegated from the Premier League and he is out of work,” Parish said.

“We’ve got to find someone who can take us on the next stage of our journey,” he said.

Ironically, Holloway could have a hand in Pulis replacing him. The pair are known to be close friends, having played together at Bristol Rovers, while Holloway is godfather to Pulis’ son Anthony.

Pulis, however, will not be the only candidate as Parish will enlist the help of former boss Steve Coppell, director of football at Crawley, in his hunt.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay and West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke are early contenders, while Neil Warnock came close to a sensational return to the club at the end of last season.