Crystal Palace are close to finalising a deal with John Salako to make the ex-Eagles midfielder a permanent first team coach, says Mark Ritson of the Croydon Advertiser
The Nigerian ex-midfielder made 215 appearances for Palace between 1986 and 1995, scoring 22 goals before moving to Coventry City.
He is currently working as a first-team coach at the club, but only as a temporary employee, having been recruited by Alan Pardew last month following the departure of Ben Garner. The manager has been swayed by Salako’s performances and is hoping to keep him on permanently.
Ex-Newcastle manager Alan Pardew was a team-mate of Salako in their respective time at Selhurst Park so the two know each other well – and the man in question is confident of signing his contract soon, having told the Advertiser that he expects the deal to be completed on “Thursday or Friday”.
This follows Pardew’s revelation to the same newspaper that a deal is definitely on the table – so it’s one to keep an eye on!
Salako’s work as a matchday pundit for Sky Sports would come to a halt if he were to accept the job offer from Crystal Palace; however it is yet to be revealed whether or not he could return to the media role in the future if his coaching career is unsuccessful.
