Under-fire Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew officially remains in a job but is on the brink at Selhurst Park after a terrible run of form, according to the Times.
Pardew saw his side completely crumble against the Premier League's bottom side Swansea City at the weekend to lose 5-4, a game which they had initially come from behind to lead 4-3 in one of the craziest matches of the season.
The result has left the Englishman clinging to his job, butit could well be that Palace are indeed trying to relieve Pardew of his duties,with themanagerreportedly angling for a whopping £5m compensation payment if heis to get the sack.
The 55-year-old's current deal doesn't expire until 2022 and apparentlywould expect to be paid in full for his services. Pardew has been at the helm since January 2015.
The Eagles' record for 2016 makes for dreadful reading - they have the worst average points per game ratio across ALL 4 DIVISIONSin England for the calendar year, a dismal 0.71ppg. Thehorrendous run of form is in stark contrast to when Pardew first took overthe Londonclub.
The pressure is well and truly on now forthe manager, whose side face Southamptonin the Premier League on Saturday. A seventh straight defeat couldprompt action from the Palace hierarchy, and spell the end of his tenure which would just be short of two years at the club - with former England manager Sam Allardyce waiting in the wings to take over according to some reports.
Crystal Palace have the worst record in all four divisions in 2016. pic.twitter.com/RxfeLwFqqk
The club's alarming slide means they only lie out of the relegation zoneon goal difference.They will again be looking to keep their first clean sheet of the season against the Saints.