Sam Allardyce could make a return to football after emerging as the early favourite to replace sacked Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew.

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Pardew (pictured above) was asked to “step down as manager of the club” yesterday after the Eagles won just one of their last 11 matches, and just six in 2016.

From yesterday: Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew sacked

Allardyce’s 67-day stint as England manager ended in disgrace after Big Sam was caught on camera advising undercover reporters on how to “get round” rules on players in September.

Chris Coleman, Roberto Mancini, and Roy Hodgson (pictured below) trail Big Sam in bookmakers’ selections to take over at Selhurst Park.

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Pic credit: PA

Palace chairman Steve Parish pledged to "wind the dial back the other way" from Pardew's attacking style - a move that would perfectly fit Allardyce's regimented approach.

"With games now coming thick and fast over the holiday period the club are hoping to put someone in place as quickly as possible but have nothing to say about a replacement at this time," said Parish.

Palace sit just one point and one place off the Premier League drop zone, with Parish admitting the club felt compelled to act to avoid a bitter relegation battle.

"Relegation is so costly and I feel with no blame attached we got ourselves in a rut and need a change," Parish told BBC Sport.

"We all bought into the decision to play a more expansive style of football.

"We all believed in it. That hasn't worked. It's no-one's fault.

"But now we're going to wind the dial back the other way.

"We're talking to a number of people to make sure we get this right, but nothing has been agreed."

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Pic credit: PA

Allardyce (pictured above) has rocketed to the front of the queue of potential replacements, even more so given Palace's determination to tighten up their play.

Former Palace owner Simon Jordan believes Allardyce would be the ideal man to keep the Eagles in the Premier League.

"I have always liked Sam," Jordan told Sky Sports of Allardyce.

"I think that he should never have lost the England job and maybe if they can reach some kind of agreement it might be the perfect move for him.

"They just have to stay out of the bottom three this season. And Sam Allardyce is absolutely the person who can achieve that for them."

Palace fans: Who would you like to replace Alan Pardew? Comment below, or get in touch at sport@london.newsquest.co.uk