LONDON: Crystal Palace have ended speculation over the managership left vacant by Tony Pulis two days before the start of term by reappointing Neil Warnock.

The 65-year-old has signed a two-year deal to return to Selhurst Park, where he managed between 2007 and 2010.

Warnock, who has not managed since leaving Leeds in 2013, won th trust of Palace’s board over former West Bromwich head coach Steve Clarke after Malky Mackay was dropped from contention in the text message controversy.

A Palace statement, issued oddly through a club sponsor rather than the communications office, 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.”

Warnock left Palace for QPR in 2010 after two-and-a-half years in charge and helped them to the Championship play-offs in 2008, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Bristol City.

After the Eagles went into administration he joined QPR and guided them to a place in the Premier League for the first time in 15 years in 2011.

Warnock was sacked in 2012 before joining Leeds but lasted just over a year at Elland Road, leaving in April 2013.

Keith Millen had been in caretaker charge after Pulis’s exit for the opening two Premier League defeats against Arsenal and West Ham.

The club want to keep Millen on the backroom staff after he oversaw Tuesday’s 3-0 win at Walsall in the League Cup second round.

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