But, despite constant links, the 42-year-old was not appointed on Wednesday - and reports last night suggested there was unlikely to be any change in the situation.

With Glenn Hoddle and Tim Sherwood other favourites to take over at the club, Palace do still have options after seemingly deciding against Mackay, but chairman Steve Parish will be keen to appoint someone soon having stressed he wanted a quick resolution to the club’s managerial post.

Millen, who oversaw the narrow 2-1 defeat at Arsenal on the opening day of the new Barclays Premier League season, is likely to be in charge for the visit of London rivals West Ham on Saturday.

The club confirmed on Wednesday that Millen will front up to the media on Thursday afternoon and, even if a permanent successor to Pulis is found before 3pm on Saturday, Millen now seems certain to be in charge of first-team affairs for the Hammers’ clash.

Pulis left after a breakdown in his relationship with Parish after he took charge in November, with Palace the heavy favourites to fall out of the division.

The former Stoke manager took the Eagles on a great run which saw them finish 11th and remain in the Premier League for more than a single season for the first time.

Rifts caused over a lack of transfers and a clash over the type of players they wanted to recruit is believed to be at the heart of Pulis’ exit although, when appointed, the new manager will be hopeful of spending some money to add to the signings of Chris Kettings, Fraizer Campbell, Brede Hangeland and Martin Kelly.

Former Tottenham head coach Sherwood is now the favourite to take over at the Palace helm, with Martin Jol and Steve Clarke also believed to be in the running for the post.