October 11 2007

Simon Jordan

Crystal Palace chief Simon Jordan reckons Neil Warnock has the winning mentality and desire to be a success.

Warnock, who signs a three-year deal, was unveiled as the Eagles' new manager at a Selhurst Park press conference on Thursday morning.

And a thrilled Jordan - who is a close friend of the former Sheffield United boss - admits he's delighted to land someone of Warnock's calibre.

He said: "I am in a situation where I've got the man I want. Neil has been on my radar a long time - even before IAIN DOWIE came on board - because he represents everything I want in a football manager.

"He's a winner and has a desire to be successful. He gets his players going and is a manager who leads, which is what I think this football club needs.

"In my tenure as Palace chairman every time I looked at my team, certainly in the Championship, I benchmarked it against how we played against Sheffield United because they were always a team that were remarkably difficult to play against.

"I see it as a dream ticket because you've got two guys who are very straightforward. We say what we mean and we mean what we say.

"In some extent, in his own style, he is an embodiment of myself. I don't really care what people think of me. I just want to win and I'm very passionate about what I do and he represents all of the things I want."

Jordan publicly won't give Warnock any promotion ultimatums but has promised to back him like he has done with previous managers.

"I want success as soon as possible," said Jordan. "I'm not setting targets. Neil's actions will speak a lot more than my words and I am very confident I have got the man I wanted.

"Neil will have an outside view of the squad. Once he is in the door he'll look at what he's got and if he thinks it's not good enough, like every other instance, I will support the manager."