Marco Silva a leading candidate to become Crystal Palace’s next manager with Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic also in the frame

Marco Silva is expected to confirm his exit from Hull City and the 39-year-old is a leading candidate to replace Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace.

Silva met Hull owner Assem Allam and vice-chairman Ehab Allam on Wednesday night and told them he wanted to activate a release clause in his contract to leave.

Palace are pressing ahead with the process of appointing a new manager following Allardyce’s sudden resignation on Tuesday, and Silva is on their shortlist.

Silva will be free to speak to other clubs once his departure from Hull is confirmed.

It had been suggested he was close to reaching an agreement to take over at Porto but the club have denied that. Watford and Southampton could also move for the Portuguese.

Silva was applauded off at Selhurst Park after Palace beat Hull to relegate them earlier this month, and he acknowledged the Holmesdale Stand. Palace would never have considered then that he could start next season as their manager.

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic is also an option for Palace, having guided Fulham to the Championship play-offs.

It is understood the 48-year-old Serb, who is on holiday in Spain, does not have a release clause in his contract that can be triggered by a Premier League club.