Liverpool and Man Utd icons linked with Crystal Palace manager role as club release statement

Former Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and Reds legend Steven Gerrard are among the managers linked with the vacant role at Crystal Palace following the sacking of Patrick Vieira.

The Arsenal icon departed Selhurst Park on Friday, with his last game the 1-0 defeat to Brighton on Wednesday.

Palace have not won any of their last 11 Premier League games, although have faced Manchester United (twice), Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Brentford in that time.

But that run leaves them just three points above the relegation zone with 11 games to play - and they have played a game more than 18th-placed Bournemouth.

In a club statement, chairman Steve Parish said: "It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made.

"Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status."

Parish paid tribute to Vieira's work at the club since arriving in 2021, calling his impact 'significant' and crediting last season's FA Cup semi-final and a 12th place Premier League finish last term, before thanking him and his coaching staff for their service.

Now, the Eagles are on the lookout for a new manager.

Benitez linked with Palace role

Numerous reports have linked Benitez, who won the 2005 Champions League final with Liverpool, as a contender for the Palace job.

The Spaniard has been out of work since departing Everton in January 2022.

Among the other names linked to the post is Reds legend Gerrard, who was sacked by Aston Villa in October.

Furthermore, a report from The Guardian claims the Eagles will consider appointing Manchester United legend Michael Carrick as their new boss. The former midfielder is currently in charge of Championship side Middlesbrough.

The same report also claims they could swoop for Burnley's Vincent Kompany, with the Manchester City icon leading his team to a 13-point advantage at the top of the Championship.

Palace's next game is on Sunday, when they face league leaders Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.