Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish says the club want Alan Pardew at Selhurst Park for "a very long time," but admits the Eagles could do little if the likes of Real Madrid want the manager.
Having been under intense pressure at Newcastle United last season, Pardew took over at Palace in January 2015 and went on to guide the club to their best-ever Premier League finish of 10th.
The Eagles have also started the 2015-16 season in fine form, collecting 31 points from 19 games to sit fifth in the table going into the New Year.
Parish wants the 54-year-old coach -- who played for the club from 1987-91 and has won 23 of his 43 games as Palace manager -- to stay in South London for the foreseeable future, though he realises Pardew could move on should one of Europe's elite clubs such as Real Madrid become interested.
"We want Alan to stay at the club a very long time," Parish told BBC Radio 5 live. "But who knows what will happen -- if Real Madrid want Alan Pardew then I'm sure we wouldn't stand in his way.
"Everyone wants to get to the best point they can in their career but I know right now that Alan is very happy here.
"He's not thinking about anything other than being here, we're not thinking about anything else, and if something comes up because we're very successful, what can we do about it?
"We'll have to cross that bridge at the time."
Madrid boss Rafa Benitez is under pressure in the Spanish capital, saying on Tuesday that there is a media "campaign" against the club, himself and Blancos president Florentino Perez.