Alan Pardew linked with Crystal Palace manager's job

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew played for Crystal Palace between 1987 and 1991

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has avoided commenting on reports that he could become the new Crystal Palace manager.

Former Eagles player Pardew, 53, failed to fulfil media duties after Sunday's 3-2 win over Everton.

Newcastle assistant John Carver, who did the post-match conference, said: "Alan didn't say why I was doing the press, he just told me to do it."

Palace sacked Neil Warnock on Saturday after four months in charge with the side in the relegation zone.

Pardew is odds-on favourite with several bookmakers to return to his old club.

Other potential contenders linked with the job include Tony Popovic, a former Palace player who has impressed in Australian club management, and former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood.

Former Netherlands defender Frank de Boer has been linked with the possible vacancy at Newcastle should Pardew move to Palace.

But de Boer's agent, Guido Albers, told BBC Sport that the ex-Ajax and Barcelona defender would not leave his current position as Ajax manager during the season.

"Frank will never leave in the middle of the season," said Albers, who insisted there had been no approach for the 44-year-old from the Tyneside club.

"Lots of clubs have approached Frank in the past but he has always insisted that he would not leave Ajax before the end of the season.

"But after the season is over? Anything is possible.

"Frank has so much experience, especially with developing young players. He has a vision. He will be good for the Premier League."

If Pardew was to move to south London he would be swapping ninth-placed Newcastle for a team lying third bottom in the Premier League.

However the former Reading, West Ham, Southampton and Charlton boss, who took over from Chris Hughton in 2010, has endured a mixed spell in the north east, with fans calling for him to be sacked earlier in the season.

The Eagles are 18th in the table and face a battle against relegation but Pardew has a strong connection with the club.

As a midfielder he spent four years there from 1987, and scored the winning goal as Palace beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra-time in a 1990 FA Cup semi-final. He played in the final and the replay as Manchester United triumphed.

Another potential candidate for the post is Palace caretaker boss Keith Millen, who says he is ready to take over full-time after the dismissal of Warnock.

Millen oversaw Palace's goalless draw against Queens Park Rangers.

The 48-year-old was overlooked for the job when Tony Pulis left the south London club at the start of the season.

But Millen said: "I'm ready for it. The players respect me. I've done it enough times."

Millen, usually an assistant coach, managed the club for four league matches last season in the month they took to replace Ian Holloway with Welshman Pulis.

"It's about respect. I respect the players and what they're about and hopefully they respect me for my knowledge and hard work with them," added Millen, whose team are currently third from bottom of the Premier League.

"You do have to detach yourself from the players as a manager, but also with Premier League players you have to make sure they understand what you want from them.

"I don't know how long I'll be in charge for. I have not been told I've got a chance and I haven't spoken to the chairman [Steve Parish] about myself."