Real Madrid legend Karanka tipped for Crystal Palace job
Published:Aitor Karanka has emerged as the new favourite to succeed Ian Holloway as manager of Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace, after talk of Chris Coleman’s appointment at Selhurst Park cooled.
The London club are still runaway favourites for relegation, at odds of 1/16, but the picture could potentially change with the appointment of the Spaniard, who will look to emulate the success of Jose Mourinho, the manager he served as assistant to during his spell at Real Madrid.
Karanka can be backed at 4/5 to land the top job at Palace, with previous favourite Coleman now out at 7/2 amid growing speculation that the former Fulham gaffer is set to agree a new contract with the Welsh FA to remain manager of the national side.
The former Real Madrid defender may bring limited experience to the Selhurst Park club, but having seen the success enjoyed by some of those who have also previously worked under the Special One, Palace fans may have some room to be optimistic for the remainder of the campaign.
A 0-0 draw with high-flying Everton will have definitely offered up some encouragement.
And, with odds of 15/2 offered on the London club doing the unthinkable and surviving in the Premier League this season, they will be hoping Karanka can emulate the likes of Andre Villas-Boas and Brendan Rodgers with success in the top-flight.
Two years spent as manager of the much-vaunted Spain under-16 side should provide some indication of the tiki-taka style the 40-year-old will hope to bring to the club, with the Los Merengues icon regarded as hot property on UK shores, with Middlesbrough previously linked with a move for the young manager.
That interest looks to have cooled though, with Boro seemingly considering making current caretaker boss Mark Venus a permanent fixture at the Riverside.
But with Karanka promising to bring the kind of youthful vigour and attractive football currently going down a storm at Southampton, the Teesiders’ loss could be the Eagles gain.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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