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NEIL Warnock has finally ended weeks of speculation over his Crystal Palace future – after agreeing to become Queens Park Ranger’s new manager.
The two clubs kicked off discussions over a compensation package for the 61-year-old boss, who has continually refused to pledge his future to the South Londoners after growing increasingly disillusioned at the club being placed in administration by major creditors Agilo.
Warnock has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal at QPR and assistant Mick Jones and first-team coach Keith Curle are also expected to join him.
Warnock told the QPR website: “I am delighted to be joining a club with the history that QPR has.
"As a manager, Loftus Road is always a place I loved because of the fantastic atmosphere there.
"Looking from afar I believe this is the perfect time for me to come in, with the new structure and chairman in place.
"Together we can give the club the stability that it needs.
"I am really looking forward to the challenge that's in front of me."
Although Warnock had a £1million release clause in his contract, the South London Press understands there were doubts if it was legally watertight – basically being a restriction of trade – and Palace are thought to have settled for around half that figure.
Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle will now turn his attention to finding a successor before Saturday’s home game against Sheffield United.
Warnock had been the 21st longest-serving boss, succeeding Peter Taylor as Palace boss in October 2007.
But once his close friend Simon Jordan saw the club pushed into administratin on January 26, 24 hours before a winding-up petition was due to be heard over an unpaid taxbill of £1.2m, his long-term future at Selhurst Park has been in major doubt.
Warnock had been tipped to step down after the 1-0 defeat to Coventry on February 20 but stayed at the helm for the FA Cup replay at Aston Villa and Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Doncaster Rovers.
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