PATRICK VIEIRA is the favourite to land the manager's job at Strasbourg after Todd Boehly acquired the club, reports suggest.
French outfit Strasbourg announced Boehly and Clearlake Capital had brought an almost 100 per cent stake in the club last week – reported to be worth around £65million.
The move comes as part of Boehly's plan to launch a multi-club empire in the same mould as the Manchester City group.
And following the acquisition, it has now been reported former Crystal Palace manager Vieira could land the job.
According to L'Equipe, Vieira, 47, is set to take over after the departure of Frederic Antonetti earlier this month.
The Ligue 1 side finished 15th last season, but with its new owners having loftier ambitions a number of options have been sounded out to take charge of the first team.
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Ex-Toulouse boss Philippe Montanier and former Union Saint-Gilloise manager Karel Geraerts were seen as the main contenders alongside Vieira.
However, Montanier does not want to dive straight back into management after being sacked by Toulouse despite winning the Coupe de France and finishing 13th in the league after promotion.
Meanwhile, Vieira was preferred to Belgium tactician Geraerts, who has been linked with a number of jobs in the division this summer.
Indeed, should Vieira take the job he is likely to have the Blues' squad riches at his disposal, with reports already indicating David Datro Fofana will be heading to Strasbourg in order to get game time.
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Vieira enjoyed a strong start to his time at Selhurst Park, guiding Palace to 12th in the Premier League and an FA Cup semi-final appearance in his first season.
But things unravelled in the second season with Roy Hodgson eventually being drafted in to save the South London side from relegation.
As a reward for a job well done, the 75-year-old has reportedly been handed a one-year extension after reaching a "verbal agreement" to stay on until 2024.
Club purchasing is also something which has been seen near Palace this week, with Wilfried Zaha and rapper Stormzy teaming up to buy ninth-tier side AFC Croydon Athletic.
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