Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic is a shock candidate for the Crystal Palace job.

The Sunday Mirror says chairman Steve Parish and the board finally lost patience with Neil Warnock after the 3-1 home defeat by Southampton on Boxing Day - and the leading candidate to take over is former Palace captain Popovic.

The Australian played at Selhurst Park for five years between 2001 and 2006. He also had a 15-month spell as coach between February 2011 and May 2012 under manager Dougie Freedman.

Popovic then moved back to Australia to take over Western Sydney Wanderers - and had an impressive start.

The 41-year-old led the team to the Asian Football Champions League final, where they beat Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal.