Crystal Palace manager: Co-chairman Steve Parish says he aims to appoint someone by the weekend - could it be Dan Petrescu?

Romanian former Chelsea midfielder is the current bookies' favourite

Steve Parish hopes to appoint a new manager at Crystal Palace very soon

Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish claims that a new manager could be appointed at Selhurst Park this weekend. Former Chelsea midfielder Dan Petrescu, who is currently in charge of Dynamo Moscow, is the favourite with the bookies for the role.

Palace, who sit bottom of the Premier League with four points, have been without a manager since 23 October, when Ian Holloway resigned.

Seemingly everyone they have reportedly coveted has instead concentrated on a different job – Rene Meulensteen signed up as Fulham head coach, Chris Coleman has extended his contract with Wales, while Aitor Karanka has become manager of Middlesbrough – but Parish is confident he can fill the vacancy by the weekend, so they players have time to work with the new manager before their next match at Hull City on 23 November.

“We're getting closer," Parish told Sky Sports News. "It's quite fluid at the moment. It's gone on a lot longer than we thought.

"We're talking to lots of people, getting lots of references. We are quite close."

Parish says that he would have liked to have had the new manager in place already, but has revealed there is “one or two people” abroad that he would like as his manager. One possibly Petrescu, while former Internazionale manager Andrea Stramaccioni has also been linked.

"It's a difficult decision, and it is important we get it right," he added.

Dan Petrescu has linked with the Crystal Palace job...

"We thought we would have somebody by Tuesday or Wednesday. That hasn't transpired, but hopefully by the weekend, so they have a good week to work with the players before the [Hull] game.

"Once we get to the point of making an offer, a decision is made. We are not talking to anyone where finances are a problem.

"It would be nice to do it on Saturday. It depends on complications - where they are physically, location. We've made no secret... one or two people abroad. All will be revealed soon."

...as has former Internazionale manager Andrea Stramaccioni