Rob Edwards backed to be the next Crystal Palace manager - 'I've been told...'

Rob Edwards is among the leading candidates to replace Pierre Sage if he is sacked by Crystal Palace in the near future.

The Eagles are already weighing up their options and assessing which top bosses would be available to replace Sage, with a feeling his position has now become untenable.

A number of big names have already been discussed behind the scenes, but the former Wolves man is now emerging as one of the top targets for the Palace board.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that he has been told positive things about Edwards, who has allies behind the scenes at Crystal Palace.

His relationship with sporting director Matt Hobbs is believed to be playing a key role in his potential of landing the job, with the pair having previously worked together at Wolves.

While there are also other candidates being considered by Crystal Palace, who are sticking with Sage for now, there is a feeling Edwards is firmly in contention.

Could Rob Edwards be the next Crystal Palace manager?

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 17 September that Edwards is in contention to replace Sage at Crystal Palace, with the current boss failing to ease pressure on his position.

The Eagles are not the only side to be eyeing the manager's availability, as he remains out of work following his surprise departure from Wolves during the summer.

With Hobbs pushing for Edwards, 43, to become Sage's replacement, he has now emerged as one of the leading candidates and will continue to be assessed if they make a change.

"It does seem that Rob Edwards is one of the leading candidates for the Crystal Palace job," Brown told Football Insider.

"He's got this relationship with the sporting director from their time at Wolves together, so that's already one point in his favour and likely why he is in the running.

"I've been told he's a good character, Edwards, he's very well-liked and he doesn't find it difficult to get the players on side, so that could be another positive for him.

"It depends what sort of manager and what sort of experience Crystal Palace are looking for, because there will obviously be other managers on their list as well."

Which other targets are on Crystal Palace's radar?

Edwards is being heavily tipped to become the next Crystal Palace manager, but is far from the only name on their radar, and will face competition for the role.

Football Insider revealed on 19 October that Crystal Palace are eyeing Sean Dyche and Thomas Frank, alongside Edwards, as their three-man shortlist as things stand.

Iain Moody, who is close to the Palace board, is believed to be a vocal backer of Dyche and his credentials, and would like to bring the former Everton boss to South London.

Frank, meanwhile, was a leading contender for the job before Sage's appointment and he still has admirers behind the scenes, and remains high on Palace's list.

With Hobbs still pushing for Edwards to take over, the board will have to reach an agreement about who is the best man for the job if they wish to part ways with Sage.