October 9 2007

Kit Symons

Kit Symons has paid tribute to departed Crystal Palace manager Peter Taylor.

Symons takes over as caretaker boss after Taylor was given the boot following 15 months in charge at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles first-team coach admits he's sorry to see Taylor go, especially after learning so much from the ex-England U21 boss.

"Pete addressed the staff in the afternoon and he was very disappointed with the way it all panned out in the end," said Symons.

"But he realised the results haven't been great - and as a manager that's what you are judged on.

"Pete's a good man and I enjoyed my time working with him. All manager's are different but Pete was genuinely a nice guy and he was good for me to work for."

Symons will resume caretaker duties for the second time after Steve Kember and Terry Bullivant were given the bullet four years ago.

"I spoke briefly to Simon and he told me to keep my head down and take charge in the interim period," said Symons.

"There have been no guarantees or promises made and I wouldn’t expect that. I’m not expecting this spell of being in caretaker charge to be long-lived."