Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic says reports he is in contention to be Crystal Palace's new manager are news to him.

The British rumour mill has thrown Popovic's hat into the ring as a candidate to take over the reins at the Premier League club after Ian Holloway was sacked on Wednesday.

Crystal Palace returned to the EPL this season only to sink straight to second bottom on the table after recording a dismal seven defeats from eight games, consoled only by a 3-1 home win to last-placed Sunderland.

Popovic, who played for Palace from 2001 to 2006, was also assistant manager to Dougie Freedman for the 2011/12 season before returning to Australia to coach A-League debutants the Wanderers to the Premier's Plate.

Although former Stoke manager Tony Pulis is by all accounts the top contender for the role, Popovic and West Bromwich manager Steve Clarke have also been named as potentials.

"I don't know about (being in) the market but I'm sure they've, they're a great club and a club that's close to me, and I want them to do well in the Premiership," Popovic said.

"That's news. Rumours are big in football, and I'm sure they've got a huge list of candidates that would love that job."

It makes for a big couple of weeks for the 40-year-old, who was also in contention for the Socceroos head coaching job before it was handed to Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou on Wednesday.

AAP