<
>

Western Sydney Wanderers chairman won't stop Tony Popovic leaving

Western Sydney Wanderers chairman Paul Lederer says he will not stand in Tony Popovic's way if he wants to replace Neil Warnock as Crystal Palace manager.

Popovic, 41, is one of the favourites for the vacant position at Selhurst Park, with another ex-Eagle, Alan Pardew, heading the betting.

Pardew fuelled speculation by swerving his post-match media duties after Newcastle's win over Everton on Sunday, but would be a difficult capture given he has five and a half years left on his deal in the north east. There would be nothing stopping Popovic if Palace were to move for their former defender, though.

"Absolutely. If he was bettering himself and went to the EPL and he got the top job, I'd be wishing him all the best and good luck to him,'' Lederer said in the Sydney Morning Herald.

The newspaper reported that Palace had contacted Popovic about the job -- although nothing has been confirmed by any party -- and Lederer is awaiting talks with his manager.

"I'm absolutely sure we'll be discussing it,'' said Lederer. "It could be as early as tomorrow or the day after, we'll certainly be discussing it.''

Popovic played for Palace between 2001 and 2006 and also served as an assistant to former manager Dougie Freedman in 2012. Since then he has been in charge of Sydney, guiding them to the A-League title and more impressively the AFC Champions League crown.