Tim Sherwood is not interested in the Selhurst job. Pic Graham Sawell

Tim Sherwood is “no longer interested” in becoming Crystal Palace manager over concerns that he was not first choice for the position following his interview for the post last Sunday.

Writing in his column in The Independent  the former Tottenham head coach said that he would have taken the position had he been offered it after his interview.

However, citing the prolonged nature of the appointment process and the linking of other managers to the position, Sherwood felt that Palace co-chairman Steve Parish was “keeping his options open.”

“At some point, as a manager, you want to know the interviews have stopped and you’re the club’s first choice,” he said.

“That was why, on Thursday night, my agent sent a message to Steve to say that I was no longer interested in being in contention for the job.”

It was expected that former Cardiff manager Malky Mackay would be announced as the new Eagles’ boss this week to be reunited with sporting director Iain Moody, who worked closely alongside Mackay at the Bluebirds.

However, the emergence of allegations of misconduct during their time at Cardiff led to his removal from the race to succeed Tony Pulis, and the resignation of Moody on Thursday morning.

Mackay apologised yesterday evening for having sent offensive text messages while Cardiff manager, insisting he is no “racist, sexist, homophobe or anti-Semite.”

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is now the bookmakers’ favourite to take over at Palace, with Steve Clarke and caretaker manager Keith Millen – who will remain in charge of team affairs for today’s visit of West Ham – also in contention.

Millen rates his chances of getting the position permanently if the team can earn some positive results.

“If you get results then the chairman might think I tick enough boxes to take this club forward,” he said during a press conference on Thursday.

“My case becomes stronger if we win on Saturday.”