November 5 2012

Ian Holloway

Ian Holloway has expressed his excitement at getting the Crystal Palace manager's job.

Holloway was appointed the new manager of the Eagles on Saturday and watched his new side outplay Blackburn Rovers from the stands.

The former Blackpool manager told BBC's Radio 5 live that he can't wait to get started.

"It's a new place, a new challenge and everybody in life needs that sometimes. It's a personal choice for me to have a fresh, new outlook on things.", he said.

Speaking about his time at Blackpool where he achieved promotion to the Premier League, he said:

"I absolutely loved every minute of being there and I don't want it to fade away. I'm not saying it will but my own enthusiasm for it was getting harder and harder to keep that as high as it was."

"My chairman [Karl Oyston] was an absolute gentleman and we got on so well. I just need a new challenge.

"With this opportunity now and to be only two hours away from my family, we could not turn it down."

Holloway says the vision of the club's owners convinced him to take over from Dougie Freedman, who joined Bolton Wanderers last month.

"I've bought into the energy the four owners have shown me; in the youth set-up they've already got, in the team they are investing in and the way they want to play football," he continued.

"Their enthusiasm with what they want to do for their football club is quite exceptional.

"I just want to be a bit of it.

"It doesn't mean I don't love Blackpool and it doesn't mean I've [not] got the best memories in the world.

"It was the most wonderful trip I've ever been on and to me it will always take some beating."

Speaking about the bunch of players he has inherited he commented:

"The team I have inherited... goodness gracious me."

"They've got balance, dogged determination and are on a really good run.

"Some of the things the wide men can do is just awesome and they've got a big man in Glenn Murray who gets hold of it, is a handful and brings everyone into it.

"I am taking over from some fantastic people. Dougie's decided to leave, Lennie [Lawrence] has gone and I am the lucky beneficiary.

"I could see the work they have done in that team, in that atmosphere and in that squad and their professionalism shows.

"Now my challenge is to try and beat what I did at Blackpool here at Crystal Palace."