Preferred candidate Malky Mackay is out of the running to take charge of Crystal Palace after the English Football Association opened an investigation into the conduct of the Scot during his time at Cardiff City, British media reported.
The Daily Mirror and Daily Mail both reported that the FA were looking into a series of text messages sent between Mackay and Crystal Palace director of football Iain Moody when the pair worked together at Cardiff. The FA did not answer calls from Reuters about the matter.
Moody left his role as head of recruitment at the Welsh club at the end of last year after being suspended by Malaysian owner Vincent Tan with Mackay sacked in the final days of 2013 after a public disagreement over transfer spending.
Moody then joined Palace shortly after with Tony Pulis then taking over as manager of the South London club and leading them to an 11th place finish in the Premier League last term, while Cardiff were relegated.
