Eagles lining up De Boer

Crystal Palace look to be closing in on the appointment of former Rangers star Frank de Boer as their new manager.

The Eagles are looking for their eighth boss in seven years in the wake of Sam Allardyce’s shock resignation having kept the London club in the Premier League.

Several candidates are said to have been shortlisted, including Marco Silva, who has since taken over at Watford following his departure from relegated Hull, Christophe Galtier, Mauricio Pellegrino and Burnley boss Sean Dyche.

Reports in Holland suggest former Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers star De Boer is now in pole position to take over at Selhurst Park, though.

De Boer, 47, left his last job at Inter Milan in November – having been in charge for only 14 matches – after he was unable to produce the consistency which saw him deliver the Eredivisie title for Ajax over four consecutive seasons.

The Football Association has pulled out of a four-year sponsorship deal with Ladbrokes after just one year, following a board decision in May to cut ties with betting companies.

Driven by FA chairman Greg Clarke, the decision was reached after a threemonth review of the governing body’s links to the betting industry.

Former England midfielder Stewart Downing has been told he can leave relegated Middlesbrough on a free transfer.