Wednesday 27 August 2014 14:00, UK
Former Crystal Palace winger John Salako believes Neil Warnock is the right man to take the club forward.
Warnock has been appointed as the successor to Tony Pulis, who left the club by mutual consent earlier this month.
The search for Palace’s next manager has been a lengthy one with Tim Sherwood, Malky Mackay and Steve Clarke all heavily linked with the job – but Salako is delighted Warnock is returning to the club he managed between 2007 and 2010.
“Fantastic news – we needed a strong manager,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “I think he’s the right guy to steady the ship.
“It was a real disappointment to lose Tony Pulis – and Tim Sherwood, Malky (Mackay) and the other guys not working out really brought the place down. Hopefully this is the boost we need.
“Neil coming back seems to be a natural choice for me. He was loved at Palace and did a great job.
Fantastic news – we needed a strong manager,” said the Sky Sports pundit. “I think he’s the right guy to steady the ship.
“What I like is the continuity – There was Neil, then Ian Holloway and Tony Pulis – they are really experienced managers who know the game inside out.
“If he can keep Palace in the Premier League this season, the club will be in a very strong position.
“It will be a bit of shock for Neil but I’m sure he will have kept an eye on the market and he’ll have a few days to bring some players in.”
Former Palace boss - and fellow Sky Sports pundit - Iain Dowie agrees with Salako.
"It's a sensible choice," he told Sky Sports News HQ.
"He's vastly experienced and successful, and he's got a good opinion on the game. He likes his teams to get at people and play two strikers, and be positive in games.
"He's got team who already know there way around and that's a good thing. They'll take confidence from the League Cup result and Newcastle away this week will be a great game for him to start his second career at Palace."
