Crystal Palace appoint Neil Warnock: Manager returns for second spell at Selhurst Park

The former QPR and Leeds United manager replaces Tony Pulis

Neil Warnock (GETTY IMAGES)

Crystal Palace have ended their torturous search for a new manager with the announcement that Neil Warnock has been appointed.

Warnock has signed a two-year deal and will be in charge for the match against Newcastle on Saturday.

A Palace statement read: "Crystal Palace are delighted to announce that Neil Warnock has been appointed as their new first team manager with immediate effect.

"Neil has agreed a two-year deal and will lead the team this Saturday in our Premier League game at Newcastle United."

The Eagles have been searching for a new manager since before the season even kicked off. The relationship between Tony Pulis and co-owner Steve Parish had disintegrated so badly that the Welshman, who won the manager of the season award last term, left less than 48 hours before the start of the new Premier League season.

Malky Mackay had been the favourite to take over but fell by the wayside amid allegations of sexist, racist and homophobic texts. Those allegations also claimed Iain Moody, who resigned from his role of director of sport at Selhurst Park.

Glenn Hoddle and Tim Sherwood was also understood to be high up the list of contenders to take over the London club but both turned down the opportunity. Former West Brom manager Steve Clarke was also linked with the role.

However, it is former manager Warnock that the club have turned to.

It is understood he will be handed money to spend in the transfer market but will have to act quickly to bring in new players before the deadline on Monday.

The club want to keep Millen on the backroom staff with the 47-year-old having been appointed as assistant manager under Ian Holloway in 2012.

The 65-year-old is among the most travelled managers in football - having presided over Notts County, Huddersfeld Town, Oldham, Bury, Sheffield United, QPR and Leeds among many others. He has been out of work since leaving Leeds in April last year with the club five points from the relegation zone.

The highlight's of Warnock's career include gaining promotion to the Premier League with QPR and Sheffield United - however he was to suffer relegation straight back to the Championship with the latter.

His previous spell at Crystal Palace began in October 2007 with the club relegation contenders in the Championship. Yet he quickly turned the club's fortunes around and they reached the play-offs before losing to Bristol City in the semi-finals.

Warnock presided over the next two seasons before leaving in 2010 when the club went into administration.