Crystal Palace’s Premier League adventure under Ian Holloway lasted just eight games into the Premier League season.
On Wednesday, Crystal Palace co-chairman Steve Parish and Holloway made the announcement that he has left the Eagles by mutual consent at a hastily arranged press conference at the Soho hotel in London.
A disappointing start to Palace’s first PL campaign since the 2004-05 season sees them second from bottom, with just three points from a possible 24. The Eagles’ second half capitulation in a big loss to London rivals Fulham on Monday night turned out to be the final straw.
But despite seven defeats from their opening eight PL games, Holloway is proud of getting Palace to England’s top-flight to start with as against all odds they won the Championship playoffs last season to make it back to the big time.
“I have pride in the job we’ve both done,” Holloway said of him and Parish. “It wasn’t easy. If Steve’s last manager [Dougie Freedman] wasn’t headhunted I wouldn’t have been here. But I have to hold my hand up and say we didn’t keep the spirit that got us up. We changed too much too quickly.”
Holloway took over at Palace in November 2012, as former boss Freedman joined Bolton Wanderers. Known for jokes and laughter, this term has seen Holloway become much more reserved and sinister at times, as his team struggled to adjust after the success of a playoff victory against Watford at Wembley last May.
Parish added his thanks and praised Holloway for the job he’s done in South London to get them where they are today. And along with fellow Co-Chairman Simon Jordan, Parish denied that he and Holloway had fell out and that the club were quite happy to see the season out with Holloway regardless of looming relegation.
“Ian’s contract at Crystal Palace has come to an end by mutual consent,” Parish said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of working with Ian. He leaves our club with his head held very high. I’d like to put the record straight. We’ve never fallen out. We’ve worked together brilliantly. I was more than happy to get relegated and come back up with Ian. The word “sacked” has never been mentioned among the directors.”
Holloway is adored by many soccer enthusiasts for his slapdash approach and comical press conferences, and the manner in which he leaves Palace is somewhat admirable as Parrish confirmed Holloway “felt a new approach might help keep us in the division.” Following the 4-1 pummeling by Fulham on Monday night, Palace looked devoid of ideas and Holloway admitted his half time team-talk had no impact as his side folded in the second half.
That was the final straw in a dismal campaign to date, and when I saw the “Urgent press announcement” email from Palace in my inbox on Monday afternoon… I was hardly surprised Holloway’s time at Selhurst Park was coming to an end.
The former Plymouth Argyle, QPR, Cardiff City and Blackpool manager also revealed the main reason his side continued on a downward spiral. With 14 new players arriving in the summer transfer window, it was difficult for Holloway to foster that same team spirit that had galvanized the Eagles in their promotion campaign last season.
“I’ve lost the spirit of that group. I owe it to the lads to admit that,” Holloway said. “I’m not saying my new signings aren’t good enough. But they need to buy into this football club the same way my other lads did.”
Holloway had kind words to say about his time at Palace, where he won 14, drew 14 and lost 18 of his league games in charge with win ratio of 30.43 percent. The 50-year-old manager believes someone else could prosper at Palace and save them from relegation, but whoever gets the job… Holloway has left them one heck of a mountain to climb.
“It is a privilege to have worked at Palace,” Holloway said. “With me out the way, the new man will have a chance to start again The four owners are unique. They are supporters of the club. Seven defeats out of eight is not good enough. If someone does want a chance in the Premier League with a good group, they should seriously believe in this project.”
