June 27 2005

Selhurst Park

New Palace assistant manager Neil McDonald says the chance to work with IAIN DOWIE was too good an opportunity to refuse.

McDonald joined the Eagles from Bolton last week, where he was first team coach for nearly five years.

But despite helping Bolton qualify for the Uefa Cup for the first time, 39-year-old McDonald was keen for a fresh challenge at Championship Palace.

"Working under Sam Allardyce taught me a lot and IAIN has a very similar approach to the game," said McDonald.

"Like Sam, he is an innovator and a big advocate of sport science and motivational techniques.

"Hopefully I can bring what I learned during my time at Bolton to Palace and help them to improve their existing methods."

McDonald and DOWIE became pals while studying for their coaching badges and DOWIE tried to lure McDonald to his staff when he became Eagles boss.

But McDonald now feels the time is right to become a number two, as current assistant boss Kit Symons moves across to reserve team manager.

"I've left Bolton on a massive high and feel it's a natural progression for me to go from a first-team coach and become an assistant manager," said McDonald.

"I've been at Bolton for five years and am proud to have played a part in the club's success. But I'm ready for a fresh challenge now.

"Wayne Routledge has gone but hopefully Andy Johnson will stay because we want to get straight back into the Premiership. Having Andy here will help us to do that and I think it will be fascinating to see whether he stays.

"But let's not forget, we've brought in the likes of Jon Macken and Darren Ward, and there are a lot of other very good players already at the club."