Ian Holloway left Blackpool to become Crystal Palace’s new manager, on this day in 2012.
Holloway signed a four-and-a-half-year contract to fill the vacant position at Selhurst Park, with the Eagles having allowed Dougie Freedman to join Bolton in October.
The move ended Holloway’s three-and-a-half-year stay with Blackpool, where he oversaw their promotion to the Premier League in 2010.
Holloway was unveiled to the Palace crowd at half-time of their Championship game with Blackburn.
A 2-0 win took the Eagles third in the table and Holloway was delighted with what he was seeing when he spoke to the crowd.
“How lucky are we to see a team like this? It’s fantastic,” he said. “I think I have got goosebumps on the back of my neck to get an opportunity like this.
“People ask me why I have come here but the board sold me their dream about what they want for their club and with their energy and my energy let’s hope we can all be very happy.”
Palace went on to finish fifth in the Championship and secured promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs, but Holloway’s contract was terminated by mutual consent after seven defeats in the first eight games on their top-flight return.
“This club needs an impetus of energy but I just feel tired to be honest. I’m worn out,” Holloway admitted.
“I want to give them the chance to stay in this division.”
