Pulis leaves Palace

Manager Tony Pulis has left his position at Crystal Palace in a sudden and unexpected move tonight.

Less than 48 hours before Palace begin their Barclays Premier League campaign at Arsenal, Pulis, whose appointment last November triggered a remarkable run from likely relegation to comfortable survival, departed the Selhurst Park club.

It is understood that Palace will issue a statement tomorrow to address the resignation before holding an afternoon press conference.

Palace staff were caught by surprise at the speed at which Pulis went from preparing his team for the trip to the Emirates Stadium to cutting ties with the club.

He and co-chairman Steve Parish held talks to discuss transfer issues this afternoon.

Pulis had reportedly been left frustrated by the club failing to push through deals for various players he targeted to strengthen the Palace squad.

It was not immediately known whether Pulis had resigned, been sacked, or left by mutual consent.

Bookmakers had earlier drastically cut the odds on Pulis being the next Premier League manager to leave his post, with some closing the market due to heavy betting on the Welshman, who had gone from being a 40/1 shot on Wednesday to an odds-on favourite.

Pulis inherited a team in turmoil last autumn, but such was the job he did, guiding the team to an 11th-placed finish, that he was named the League Managers Association’s Premier League manager of the year in May.

The exit of Pulis came on the day Palace clinched the signing of Liverpool defender Martin Kelly on a three-year contract.

The 24-year-old made his Reds debut back in 2009 but found first-team opportunities limited, with a serious knee injury also ruling him out for a year.

Kelly, capped once by England in a 2012 friendly against Norway, became Pulis’ fourth signing of the summer following the acquisitions of Chris Kettings, Fraizer Campbell and Brede Hangeland.

Unaware of what was about to happen, Kelly told Palace’s website: “I’m looking forward to playing under Tony and playing regular football again.”

Palace have been linked with a move to bring their former forward Wilfried Zaha back to Selhurst Park after a difficult first year at Manchester United.

Speaking on Tuesday, Parish had insisted Pulis would have the determining say on transfer dealings.

He told Sky Sports News: “It’s up to the manager, the players we sign. It’s not up to me. I’m there to help him get the squad he wants.

”There’s a sentimental value and I loved Wilf as a kid and he did sensational things for us.

”I know the fans would like him back and that will play a part, but in the end the manager will decide what we do.“

The position of Keith Millen, the assistant manager, was not known. Should he remain at the club he would be likely to lead Palace into the league opener against Arsenal. Malky Mackay and Chris Hughton could be among the out-of-work managers who eye the vacancy.