Ian Holloway Steps Down as Crystal Palace Manager

With just one win in eight Premier League matches to start the season and a miserable goal differential of minus-11, Crystal Palace and manager Ian Holloway decided to part ways on Wednesday.

The club announced the decision via a press conference and their official Twitter feed:

Holloway had this to say about the decision to leave, according to the club's official Twitter feed:

Though Crystal Palace looked like one of the weaker teams on paper coming into this season, they've been absolutely outmatched in the first eight fixtures.

The 17 goals they've given up is second worst in the league behind a miserable Sunderland team (20 allowed), while only Sunderland (five) and Stoke City (four) have scored less than Palace's six goals. 

The team even disappointed in the Capital One Cup, losing 2-1 in the second round to Bristol City.

And it's only gotten worse.

Since beating Sunderland 3-1 on August 31, Palace have lost their last five matches by a combined tally of 13-2. With upcoming matches against Arsenal, West Brom and Everton, things seem likely to get worse before they get better.

Holloway, 50, took over as manager last November and led Crystal Palace into the Premier League by winning the Championship playoff against Watford after Kevin Phillips scored a penalty in extra time. 

But Palace had already sold their best player, Wilfried Zaha, to Manchester United that January (he was loaned back to Crystal Palace with the understanding that he would join the Red Devils the following summer) and maintained a fairly tight budget over the summer.  

In that regard, it's hardly surprising that the club has struggled out of the gate.

It's clear something needed to change, however, and it would appear both the club and Holloway decided that it was time for a new manager.