Tony Pulis has left Crystal Palace by mutual consent just two days before the start of the 2014/15 Premier League season.
The manager and co-chairman Steve Parish had been locked in serious talks late this afternoon. It is believed that the two men had a difference of opinion as for the type of players they wanted to recruit to the club.
It is believed that Pulis also wanted control of the club’s recruitment policy, but Parish was reluctant to let the manager be the sole person in charge of arrivals to the squad.
Speculation is the tipping point may have been the potential signing of former-Palace player, Wilfried Zaha. It is being reported that Parish wanted the player to return to Selhurst Park, but Pulis disagreed.
The former Stoke boss was also reportedly unhappy with Crystal Palace’s ability to sign players he had targeted. The club had been linked with Gylfi Sigurdsson, Steven Caulker, and Michu earlier in the summer; but have only succeeded in recruiting Fraizer Campbell, Brede Hangeland, Chris Kettings and newest-signing Martin Kelly.
Reports from England are stating that assistant Keith Millen will take charge of the squad for Saturday’s opening match against Arsenal (at 12:30pm ET on NBCSN, for viewers in the US).
Tony Pulis took over Crystal Palace last season following the abrupt departure of Ian Holloway. The club had just four points when he took control, but his squad staged a remarkable recovery in the second half of the season to finish 11th.
Pulis would go on to be named Premier League manager of the year.
Neil Lennon (former Celtic boss) and Malky Mackay (former Cardiff City manager) are two of the early favorites to step in at Selhurst Park.
Meanwhile, the future of Tony Pulis in management is unclear, but he may stick it out and wait until the first sacking of the season in the Premier League before taking up a new opportunity.
