Crystal Palace has officially parted ways with Patrick Vieira following a dismal run of 11 games without a win in the Premier League.
The Eagles are now actively searching for Vieira’s long-term replacement, with five potential candidates identified by The Daily Express, including Nuno Espirito Santo.
According to The Daily Express’ Ryan Taylor, Nuno was previously in the running for the Palace job in June 2021, only for the deal to fall through at the eleventh hour.
However, the Portuguese coach is said to be open to returning to the Premier League and proving himself after his premature sacking by Tottenham Hotspur in 2021, just months into his tenure.
Nuno is currently managing Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia and has enjoyed an impressive run of 11 wins from his last 12 games in charge. He is well-regarded in the Premier League, having guided Wolverhampton Wanderers from the Championship to the Europa League and earning praise from former England striker Gary Lineker for his “fabulous job.”
Nuno is known for his preference for a back-three system, which proved to be highly effective during his time at Wolves, culminating in a quarter-final appearance in the Europa League in 2019/20. It is believed that Nuno’s contract in Saudi Arabia includes a release clause, which would require Palace to pay a significant fee to secure his services.
Palace’s search for a new manager comes ahead of a crucial fixture against league leaders Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. The departure of Vieira also sees the exit of three backroom staff members, Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson, and Said Aigoun.
The Eagles will hope that a new manager can inject some life into their season and improve on their current position of 17th in the Premier League table. With a talented squad at their disposal, including the likes of Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher, there is certainly potential for Palace to climb the table and secure their top-flight status for another season.
Whether Nuno is the right man for the job remains to be seen, but his experience and success in the Premier League make him a strong candidate. Palace will need to act swiftly if they want to secure his services, given the reported interest from other clubs.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Palace as they look to turn their fortunes around and avoid the possibility of relegation. A new manager will bring fresh ideas and a renewed sense of optimism to the club, and Nuno could be just the man to lead them forward.
