Claudio Ranieri is in contention to land vacant Crystal Palace job following Sam Allardyce’s exit

CLAUDIO RANIERI is in the running for the vacant Crystal Palace manager’s job.

The Italian, axed by Leicester after winning the Premier League title in 2016, is on the shortlist of contenders to succeed Sam Allardyce.

5

Eagles chief Steve Parish is ready to explore how Ranieri, 65, masterminded the greatest Premier League campaign when he overcame odds of 5,000-1 to lift the trophy.

Keep up to date with all the latest news, gossip, rumours and done deals in SunSport’s live transfer blog

Parish has insisted he does not want a manager using the club just as a “stepping stone” and will assess whether Ranieri’s magic will work at Selhurst Park.

The ex-Chelsea boss has been out of work since February after his shock dismissal.

But he has been looking to get back into football instead of retiring on the high of going out as a title-holder.

5

5

Most read in football

MAKING NEW GROUND

Eighth-tier club move into stadium with bigger capacity than Prem side

'NOT TRUE'

Rooney hits out at speculation he took mystery woman back to his flat

SHELL SHOCK

Prem fans warned of travel delay as army investigate 'unexploded shell'

mother's love

Lauryn Goodman seen after Kyle Walker did NOT give their two kids Xmas gifts

Championship outfit Leeds have been linked with him but Palace would offer the prospect of a top-flight return.

Ex-Hull manager Marco Silva was one of Palace’s targets before he opted for Watford.

But Burnley boss Sean Dyche is the bookmakers’ favourite.

5

5