Sam Allardyce considered for shock Crystal Palace return if Frank de Boer gets sacked after disastrous start
Big Sam walked away from Palace in May and could make a sensational return to Selhurst Park if the Dutchman fails to turn things around
CRYSTAL PALACE are considering a shock move to re-appoint Sam Allardyce, according to reports.
The future of Eagles boss Frank de Boer is already hanging in the balance after a disastrous start to the campaign, losing their first three league games.
The under-fire Dutchman has already held crisis talks with chairman Steve Parish and a change has not been ruled out during the international break, with a list of alternatives - including Allardyce - already drawn up, The Times reports.
Big Sam quit Selhurst Park at the end of last season, saying he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Allardyce also suggested the Palace gig would be his last in football and added only a return to the international scene would bring him back.
He has offered Palace a glimmer of hope claiming he would miss being involved in the game once the new season kicked off.
But the experienced coach added he didn’t fancy another relegation rescue act if he was to be tempted back to club football.
De Boer saw his side lose at Liverpool – but the alarm bells will truly started ringing in the Palace boardroom with shocking home defeats to Huddersfield and Swansea.
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The 47-year-old coach sacked by Inter Milan last season after just 85 days in charge is trying to implement a more expansive style of football.
However his players are struggling to adapt to his methods with suggestions he has underestimated the intensity of the Premier League.
Another ex-England boss, Roy Hodgson, and Fulham chief Slavisa Jokanovic are also of interest.
Any potential move for Jokanovic could prove problematic as he was considered by Palace opted to hire De Boer.
The Premier League outfit were not prepared to allow the Fulham boss to bring all his back-room staff with him and shell out the £6million buyout clause in his contract.
A fresh move for Hodgson, who was also considered previously, would be less complicated as he is currently out of work.
De Boer will look to buy himself time to survive in London – but may have to adopt a more pragmatic approach to get Palace out of trouble.
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There have also been disputes over recruitment, with the Dutchman unhappy with the quality of some of the players recommended to him, while some of his choices have been questioned by club chiefs.
De Boer penned a three-year-deal in ther summer worth £2m-a-season and there will have been a compensation agreement inserted into his contract if he was sacked.
Allardyce has revealed he is enjoying life away from the football goldfish bowl and ruled out a return to the game for now.
He exclusivley told talkSPORT: “I’ve been relaxing this summer watching the interesting transfer market and being associated with any club at this early stage of the season would not be of any interest to me at the moment.
“I have just had a trip to Hawaii watching from afar and I went to watch Manchester United on Saturday and I wouldn’t associate myself with any job at this moment in time.
“Three games into the Premier League season, it is a little hasty when people talk about you coming back into football.
"At this moment in time, I am very comfortable in my life. My time in the Premier League for many, many years has been tremendously exciting and I have enjoyed every minute, but having a break from football is the right thing for me to do."