Frank de Boer excited about Palace opportunity

Former Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers defender De Boer appears in pole position for the vacancy at Selhurst Park, where he would become the eighth manager in seven years as the board eye an appointment for the long term.

Sam Allardyce had made his Palace side a well-drilled unit as they pulled themselves clear of the Premier League relegation zone at the end of last season, only for the ex-England manager to then decide to leave the club in May.

De Boer, 47, parted company with Inter Milan in November, having been in charge for only 14 matches, but during his time as head coach at Ajax he was able to deliver the Eredivisie title over four consecutive seasons.

After coming through the youth ranks at the Amsterdam club, winning the European Cup in 1995, and also having a successful spell with Barcelona, elder brother Ronald is in no doubt about how De Boer would approach the English top flight.

"We were brought up with the philosophy of Ajax and Barcelona so you can expect a similar style of ball possession, but creative because football is entertainment of course," Ronald de Boer said to Sky Sports News HQ.

"But it also has to combine with results. Of course, he knows that this is very important. You will see a team that is well organised and playing as a team."

A number of coaches were said to have been on Palace's shortlist - including Marco Silva, who has since taken over at Watford, Christophe Galtier, Sean Dyche and Mauricio Pellegrino, the Argentine now appearing on the verge of joining Southampton.

Palace are yet to make any official comment on their recruitment process with chairman Steve Parish understood to be on holiday - although that would not necessarily delay any announcement, which could come early next week.

De Boer is reported to have impressed the Palace board with both his philosophy and determination to get the best out of the club's current youth system rather than just to continually bring in fresh talent.

The Eagles could well get their first chance to see what De Boer's side might look like at the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong next month, which will also feature Liverpool, West Brom and Leicester.

Ronald de Boer, who also played alongside his brother at Rangers, believes his sibling can make an impact in England, where compatriot Ronald Koeman has enjoyed successful spells at Southampton and Everton.

"He is very excited, of course," Ronald de Boer said. "I know they are talking and I think it's just about little terms with the coaching staff etc, so I don't see any problem, but of course it is not for me to say if it is a done deal."

De Boer added in an interview with talkSPORT: "It's the biggest league - everybody knows it, everybody is watching the Premier League.

"You can do really something if you have the chance, because there is money involved and you can buy players.

"It is an interesting league to see what you are capable of, fitting a team (together) that is good enough for the Premier League."