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Ian Holloway appointed as Crystal Palace manager

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Ian Holloway

Blackpool boss Ian Holloway has been appointed as Crystal Palace's new manager on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

Holloway, 49, will take charge of Palace with the London club currently fourth in the Championship, six points above 12th-placed Blackpool.

He told Palace's club website:external-link "This is a fantastic opportunity. I got great energy when I met the club's owners and just can't wait to get going."

Keith Millen also joins Holloway at Selhurst Park as assistant manager.

"It is sad to leave Blackpool as my time there was the best trip I have been on and leave very proud of what was achieved and I would like to wish them all the best," added Holloway, who has also managed Bristol Rovers, Queens Park Rangers, Plymouth and Leicester.

"I just see this as too good an opportunity to turn down.

"I am bringing in Keith as my assistant who is a Croydon boy and he is as excited as I am about the opportunity."

Holloway's former Blackpool assistant Steve Thompson will be in temporary charge for the Seasiders' game with Derby County on Saturday.

Bristol-born Holloway leaves Blackpool after over three years in charge, winning promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs in May 2010 although they were relegated the following season.

And Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston holds no resentment towards Holloway regarding the decision to leave.

"I wish Ian all the best in his new role," Oyston told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"He has done a fantastic job for us during his time here and will be remembered as the most successful manager in the club's history.

"Things happen in football very quickly, as in this case, so I am not shocked by his decision. It suits him to be nearer his family and I am sure he will enjoy the new challenge he has set himself.

"There is no animosity, he goes with my best wishes having served our club so well and the success he brought to the club during his three years here.

"Steve Thompson will take charge of the team at Derby this afternoon. I will then be making an appointment as soon as possible."

Palace chairman Steve Parish had revealed the club had made an approach for Holloway on Thursday.

Holloway took training as normal at Blackpool on Friday morning, but did not join the team on their journey to Derby, although he often travelled separately to away fixtures.

His departure comes only six months after guiding Blackpool to the Championship play-off final against West Ham, where his side lost 2-1.

Holloway will now hope for similar success at Palace, who have not been in the top flight since a one-year stay in 2004-05, and lost their first three league matches of the current campaign.

Six wins out of seven then lifted them into fourth place in the Championship before Freedman's departure.

His assistant Lennie Lawrence was caretaker boss for the Eagles' draw at Barnsley and a notable victory at Leicester, before joining Freedman at the Reebok Stadium.

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153 comments

  • Comment posted by User0410217368, at 11:06 3 Nov 2012

    To be fair, as a Blackpool fan, Holloway going is a sad day for Blackpool. However, he goes with a massive shake of the hand and sincere thanks for everything. He clearly wasn't happy working with Karl Oyston. This is punctuated by Barry Ferguson, club captain, going on loan to Fleetwood. Karl has looked after our finances well, but I think he crosses a line on lack of investment. Good luck Olly!

  • Comment posted by User0130259474, at 11:06 3 Nov 2012

    Have to laugh about loyalty comments, players move clubs all the time, a manager does it and becomes a scumbag, nothing wrong in moving jobs, we all do it at some point

  • Comment posted by User0138791583, at 11:17 3 Nov 2012

    Can't blame him at all. Those criticising him for lack of loyalty appear to have incredibly short memories. He didn't do a Coyle and leave a job half-finished, he's spent three and a half seasons taking Blackpool to heights nobody ever expected from them. If he feels Palace is now the better option, not to mention his stated family commitments, then it's best for all parties that he goes for it.

  • Comment posted by User0919120479, at 10:58 3 Nov 2012

    It's refreshing to hear Oyston's comments. None of the usual nonsense about loyalty, betrayal etc that is normally associated with the 'football brain'. If Holloway wants to be nearer to his family the decision is fair enough.

  • Comment posted by D1710936178377, at 11:38 3 Nov 2012

    As far as I'm concerned, Holloway is a breath of fresh air. The season he had with Blackpool in the premiership, ditto. Wonderful entertainment, chap had me in stitches most of the time, and for me he is a bastion of integrity and hard work, something sadly lacking in the corporate world of football. If only there were more like him. Wish he was in charge of Fifa. Good luck to him

  • Comment posted by Samual5200, at 12:20 3 Nov 2012

    Very happy Palace fan with Holloway coming in. Someone described this as crashing your Nissan Micra and having it replaced with a BMW by the insurance. Couldn't agree more. Holloway's straight talking and will say what's on his mind. Great man manager and pulls out some real bargains in the transfer market. Couldn't have asked for a better appointment here at Selhurst. Up the Palace!

  • Comment posted by User0384270648, at 12:19 3 Nov 2012

    I'm a Pool season ticket holder and I believe this is bad news for us.

    Again Oysten has failed to put his hand into his pocket- so my question is where does he want the Pool to go.

    IMO Oysten has no ambition for the club and is just in it for all the money he can make for himself.

    Good luck to Ollie, I for one will miss him and believe Palace will do well with him at the helm.

  • Comment posted by User0211143993, at 13:12 3 Nov 2012

    Not surprised he's left Blackpool, but very surprised he's gone for Palace. I really thought his next move would be into the Prem, (probably Villa when Lambert inevitably gets the boot).

    Good appointment for Palace, I hope they can give him the financial support he deserves.

  • Comment posted by SwissSeasider, at 15:55 3 Nov 2012

    Really sorry to see Olly go but all true Blackpool supporters should wish him well. He's done a great job at Bloomfield Road and took us far beyond where we had any right to be. OK, the rest of the season will be tough but still no regrets, it's been a great ride. All the best Olly - I hope you can work your magic at Palace (but not against us).......

  • Comment posted by The tin that rintitin , at 16:35 3 Nov 2012

    Can't understand why no one has taken Palace to the top flight,invested and kept them there. Palace have a fantastic base of supporters and have a massive catchment of new supporters in South London. I love Dougie ,but think he should have finished his apprentship at palace - hope he dosent end up being another Dowie. Good luck to Holloway - he has picked up the best job!

  • Comment posted by Reinas Golden Gloves, at 11:10 3 Nov 2012

    @5 Oh get off it. You get the chance to move to a club higher up the table and get closer to your family then who can blame him for taking it!

  • Comment posted by User0967910782, at 13:41 3 Nov 2012

    He cheerfully chivvied Blackpool into being players of attractive football for three years (despite being the lowest paid). He watched the directors pocket the Premier League money without making a fist of staying in the top flight. Palace get more bums on seats, they can pay players more and go shopping from time to time. It's nearer his family, so it's a no-brainer for Ollie.

  • Comment posted by Wendyo, at 14:49 3 Nov 2012

    Ian Holloway worked wonders for Blackpool.Anyone criticising him for leaving is daft.He obviously feels that Blackpool can go no further.Theyve consistently overacheived with him managing.I dont see it as being disloyal by leaving.I'd love to see Blackpool back in the Prem though.Lets hope they can get a decent manager in.

  • Comment posted by BLRbrazil, at 13:00 3 Nov 2012

    I like Holloway and think he has done an excellent job at Blackpool, but "most successful manager in their history" comes from somebody who doesn't know their history. Blackpool were once around the pinnacle of the English game, with a strong team and lots of titles. Surely their manager(s) back in those days are more deserving of the title?

  • Comment posted by wolfman, at 14:46 3 Nov 2012

    If i was a Blackpool fan i would be gutted by this, the chairman is to blame thats why he cant say anything bad about Ollie. This chairman should take a good look at himself & think why he let this situation arise. Good luck to the new man he needs loads of it. ps i had Blackppol e/w to win the Championship.

  • Comment posted by User0919120479, at 11:09 3 Nov 2012

    @plymdad. Irrelevant nonsense. As jon says, people move jobs regularly for various reasons. Moving jobs does not make you disloyal if you served the club well whilst being there, as Holloway did.

  • Comment posted by User0325420774, at 17:37 3 Nov 2012

    Apart from the opportunity Palace offer there is also his personal situation with his 3 daughters, living in London, so this move enables him to be closer to his family. The guy has done wonders for Blackpool, punching well above their weight over the last 3 years. With the momentum behind Palace at the minute he could achieve great things...

  • Comment posted by cienfuegos, at 11:50 3 Nov 2012

    Sad day for Blackpool,good news for Palace. Unwanted at Plymouth, midas touch at Blackpool. Mr H is one of the passionate, committed Managers. I'm sure he'll do well with Palace though I hope Blackpool don't suffer as a result of losing him.
    One of the outstanding characters with his 'one liners'.

  • Comment posted by User0701988252, at 14:43 3 Nov 2012

    Someone at the BBC removed my completely innocuous comment becuase obviously they have the morals of a saint - ...............er Jimmy Saville !

  • Comment posted by I live to moan, at 12:18 3 Nov 2012

    It's nice to see a manager leave with the best of wishes from the chairman for proper reasons, what a great character and manager he's been for Blackpool.