December 27 2014

Neil Warnock (Photo: Andy Roberts)

Neil Warnock has been sacked as Crystal Palace manager.

Warnock, 66, has been shown the door after Palace's 3-1 defeat at home to Southampton on Boxing Day moved the team into the relegation zone.

Palace chairman Steve Parish told the Advertiser: "We have let Neil go and we have thanked him for his work.

"It's not working out and we are looking for a reaction against QPR. Keith Millen will be in charge. I slept on it really and just spoke to a few people and made my mind up this morning.

"Neil is a great guy and he wanted to do it at Palace. It just hasn't happened, I don't think really. It just wasn't working. You always want it sorted out as soon as possible but I haven't got anyone lined up.

"Keith Millen, in all likelihood, will be in charge tomorrow and against Villa. We want to hold negotiations as soon as possible."

Warnock becomes the first Premier League casualty of the season having won just three of his 16 league games at the helm.

He returned to the club before the Newcastle away game at the end of August following Tony Pulis's shock decision to quit just two days before the start of the season.

Malky Mackay, Tim Sherwood and Steve Clarke were among the names in the running, but with time running out after Pulis left the club in the lurch, chairman Steve Parish went for Warnock who managed the Eagles between 2007-10.

The Sheffield-born manager joked he was the seventh choice but he had an immiediate impact, claiming a last-gasp draw at the Magpies, and followed it up with a draw and two wins from his next two league outings.

But he failed to inspire his side, often blaming refereeing decisions for losses, with his only other victory coming against Liverpool at Selhurst Park.

Mark Bright said: "I had never heard Selhurst Park as quiet as it was yesterday. There seemed to be a lack of confidence around the place. The manner of the defeat was really disappointing.

"[Palace chairman] Steve Parish will want to make a decision pretty quickly this time around. He will want someone who can work with the group of players and make an immediate impact.

"I think the players we have can definitely keep us up. They showed how good they were last season and if they can have a structure and some direction from the new manager they can keep us up."

Palace have won just one of their last 12 games and speaking after the defeat to Southampton, Warnock admitted he'd expect criticism for the disappointing run.

He said: "When you lose a game you're responsible. I have no complaints, at 3-0 down, you'd be very surprised not to get a bit of stick. I thought the players were very good today in the circumstances, they were almost as shell-shocked as some of the fans.

"If I was a player today I'd blame the manager, it's always easy to do that. The players know what I feel. We need everyone to be on top of their game. The goals are so poor."