Malky Mackay set to take reins at Selhurst Park

FORMER Watford and Cardiff manager Malky Mackay is set to be named as successor to Tony Pulis at Crystal Palace. The 42-year-old Scot is understood to have agreed a three-year contract to become the ninth boss in the past decade at Selhurst Park.

Mackay, who has been out of football since leaving Cardiff last December, appears to have beaten off competition from former Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood and is set to be confirmed formally by the club this afternoon. If confirmed as manager Mackay will take charge of the first team against one of his former clubs, West Ham United, on Saturday.

Mackay will have substantial funds to strengthen his squad, however, he will have to work within the constraints of the strict Crystal Palace wage structure that lead to previous manager Tony Pulis departing Selhurst Park just 36 hours before the club’s opening Premier League game against Arsenal.