Martin O’Neill, one of the two frontrunners for the Republic of Ireland manager’s job, along with Blues boss Mick McCarthy, is reported to have held talks with Crystal Palace regarding the vacancy at Selhurst Park.

O’Neill is said to have spoken to Eagles co-chairman Steve Parish on Sunday, while former Stoke manager Tony Pulis met him for similar preliminary discussions on Monday. Ian Holloway left Palace by mutual consent last week.

Given their current position at the bottom of the Premier League, the South Londoners are understood to be aware that both O’Neill and Pulis might take a lot of persuading to take the job and that they may have to look elsewhere for Holloway's successor.

O’Neill’s wages reportedly might also be a stumbling block for both Palace and the Republic of Ireland.

McCarthy, who was at an academy fundraising event at Portman Road last night, remains the odds-on favourite to return to the role he held between 1996 and 2002 with most bookies with O’Neill second in the running.

Photo: Action Images

StuartBrett8 added 10:20 - Oct 30 So in reality... nobody wants the Rep of Ireland job :)
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mutters added 11:15 - Oct 30 i will take the ROI job if nobody else wants it.
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hughesitfc added 11:28 - Oct 30 I think the writings on the wall with this news , if o Neil gets the job at palace I think mick will be the man they want and if offered he will take it , so thou I hate saying this who will be the next town manager , I don't think town will go for terry Conner if he doesn't go with mick to the Ireland job , I would like to see Ian holloway as the new man I think he can take us to the next level he has a proven track record

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NoCanariesAllowed added 12:15 - Oct 30 So in other words, one man might have done something that might have implications for another man. Too many 'mights' in there for anyone of an Ipswich persuasion to bother getting their knickers in a twist over.
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1RWR added 12:27 - Oct 30 Has anyone thought that MM is waiting to speak direct to the FAI, & when this happens he'll turn round and say "you bastad's sacked me in 2002 now you want me back? you go bollocks!". that's what I think anyway!
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bugledog123 added 13:10 - Oct 30 MM's agent will be happy - any job offer outside ITFC is good for him, and if he turns down Ireland it will give him more leverage when and if he renegotiates his contract at Portman Road.
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yorksblue added 13:14 - Oct 30 MM lives in Bromley. Palace would be a better option for him, rather than FAI.
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Michael11 added 15:29 - Oct 30 I honestly think that if ROI had any intention of hiring McCarthy then they would have at least approached him for discussions, whether he was first choice or just as a back up option.
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TimmyH added 16:31 - Oct 30 Roy Keane will be the dark horse for this....sorry I meant lord. God help them if they do go to him!
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jas0999 added 17:06 - Oct 30 This doesn't sound good. Either way I just hope it is sorted soon. This must be unsettling for the players and MM.
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pointofblue added 23:18 - Oct 30 This is getting boring now - can the FAI just hire someone... anyone... so we can move on?
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Warkys_Tash added 23:18 - Oct 30 Bottom line, if O'Neill has talked with Palace, even if he doesn't take it - which I doubt he will - means it is unlikely he wants ROI job, which in turn is bad news for a Town.
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