FRANK de Boer has been sacked as Crystal Palace manager.

The Dutchman has overseen four defeats in as many games without scoring a goal since taking over at Selhurst Park in the summer, the worst start in Premier League history.

Former England manager Roy Hodgson has reportedly been linked with De Boer's job, with Saints set to take on the Eagles on Saturday.

The sacking comes after chairman Steve Parish took to Twitter to rally fans around the team, without giving unequivocal backing to the former Ajax and Inter Milan boss.

In an exchange with supporters on social media following Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Burnley, Parish wrote: "People are frustrated, I'm frustrated, so are the management and players. We know we are better than this..."

Parish also wrote: "We are 4 games in, it's a terrible start but we have to stick together."

It is the second time in ten months De Boer has been sacked before his side is due to play Saints, who visit Selhurst Park this weekend, having been axed by Inter Milan days before their Europa League clash at St Mary's last November.