Patrick Vieira has accepted to be the new Crystal Palace manager.As David Ornstein reported earlier, nothing has been signed. Vieira is the third manager to be appointed in the last three weeks. However, Palace expects this deal will go through.The board had hoped Lucien Favre would reconsider his decision over the weekend. However, the ex-Borussia Dortmund boss opted not to take control in a late U turn last week. They then shifted their focus to Vieira shortly thereafter.Palace insist on having a manager in place by Monday when the players resume pre-season training.Image: Lucien Favre declined the chance to manage Crystal PalaceVieira was last in charge of Ligue 1 club Nice in summer 2018. He then took over in December 2018 and was sacked in December after five consecutive defeats in all competitions.Former Arsenal captain, who won four FA Cups and three Premier Leagues with Arsenal, was previously a coach at Manchester City, before he spent two and a quarter years in the United States as the head of MLS New York City.Vieira, who was a World Cup winner for France 1998, was linked to Newcastle in 2018. Arsene Andersen supported his former captain to become Arsenal manager in 2019.Is Palace's search nearly over?Palace was shocked by Favre's sudden U-turn last Wednesday and decided to create a new list of candidates for Roy Hodgson's replacement, given that the Swiss' appointment was about to be confirmed.Palace was able to reveal Favre only because of a work permit and the completion of contracts with his backroom staff. However, after declining the chance, the 63-year old told Palace that he had not turned down their request for another club.After talks with Nuno Espirito Sante, former Wolves boss, Favre was no longer interested in the job, Favre became the frontrunner.Image: Nuno Espirito Santato was also very close to becoming Palace's new bossPalace initially preferred to appoint a Premier League manager. However, with time ticking away and players considering their contractual situation, the club has relaxed its requirements in order to speed up the process.Frank Lampard, Swansea manager Steve Cooper and Valerien Ismael (highly-rated coach) were also among the Eagles' options.Although it wasn't clear if Eddie Howe and Lampard remained on Favre's shortlist, there was speculation last week that Sean Dyche, Burnley boss, would be invited to Selhurst Park.After four years as the club's leader, Hodgson left the Eagles and led them to a 14th place finish in the top flight.
