Alex McLeish admits Tony Pulis will have a battle on his hands should he take the job at Crystal Palace.
It has been reported that ex-Stoke boss Pulis is in advanced talks with Palace, who are currently bottom of the Barclays Premier League and six points adrift of safety, over becoming the permanent successor to departed manager Ian Holloway.
McLeish told the Daily Mail: "It is a tough job, definitely the toughest in the league I would say at this moment.
"But you know how the game can change in a couple of results, and that is the fickleness of the whole thing.
"Tony is a good friend of mine, has fantastic experience and has coached in different divisions.
"He may have to take a step back to come two forward, and that would smack of a good relationship with and a bit of patience from the people above.
"It would mean Tony could go into the job, not relaxed but knowing that if they didn't quite stay up this season, he is going to have a crack next season to get them back up."
