Malky Mackay is seeking talks with Crystal Palace about the manager's job.
The London Evening Standard says Mackay is leading a stampede of contenders for the job and will use backing from Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson and his former Watford chairman Graham Taylor to help persuade Parish.
An insider said: "Malky wants this job and he will use his incredible contacts in the game to help him get it."
Palace's sporting director Iain Moody, who worked alongside Mackay at Cardiff and Watford, is also pushing for his old colleague to get the job.
