March 1 2010

Neil Warnock

Neil Warnock has left Crystal Palace to join London rivals QPR.

The news ends weeks of speculation as both clubs confirmed the move on Monday evening after Rangers agreed compensation with Palace's administrator Brendan Guilfoyle.

A statement on www.cpfc.co.uk read: "Crystal Palace Football Club announce that manager Neil Warnock has left the club with immediate effect.

"The 61-year-old joined Palace in October 2007 and immediately took the club to the play offs, just failing to gain a final place at Wembley after a defeat over two legs against Bristol City.

"He managed the club in 129 games, winning 47 of those during his tenure in SE25."

Warnock's Palace future was always in doubt with new owners likely to bring in their own manager. Warnock was a close friend of former Eagles chairman Simon Jordan.

His move across London will bring in a reported £500,000 compensation for poverty-stricken Palace who are in administration.

Assistant manager Mick Jones and first-team coach Keith Curle will join Warnock at Loftus Road.

A new manager will need to be appointed soon with Palace sitting just one place above the Championship relegation zone after getting docked 10 points.