Soccer: Bruce confirmed as new Palace manager

Steve Bruce has been named as the new manager of Crystal Palace on a two-year contract.

The former Huddersfield and Sheffield United boss walked out on Second Division Wigan earlier in the week after being offered the Selhurst Park hotseat.

Palace sacked Alan Smith towards the end of last season, putting Steve Kember in temporary charge and he guided them out of the relegation zone with a final-day win at Stockport.

Chairman Simon Jordan confirmed Kember has been handed the role of assistant manager, while Terry Bullivant will take over as first-team coach.

Bruce revealed he had been lured by Jordan's hopes for the club - and he immediately set a target of reaching the play-offs next season.

He said: "I think the one thing that is blatantly obvious when you meet the chairman is that he's a Palace fan. He's got a vision that he wants this club to be better than anyone else - that's why I'm here.

"I hope I can bring him the success he so desperately wants. They've got a nucleus of a very good squad. It's my aim with Steve and Terry to take them forward and make them better."

He said: "Let me put one thing straight, I've read that I quit Wigan but there was nothing to quit about.

"When I went in I said I would be there until the end of the season. I had three of four opportunities to move into management but this is the one I want to do.

"I've made a big commitment and I'll be moving my family down here. I think it's fairly obvious the investment he has put in will be there. There is money to spend. He wants to take this club into the Premiership.

"The realistic aim is that we are nowhere near that end of the table but our aim is that we are hoping we can get into the play-off positions. That is my aim."

Jordan insisted the club had now recovered from their financial problems and he is confident he has brought in the right man to take the Eagles back to the Premiership.

He said: "What we've now got on our hands is a good squad and we've got a good management structure. There's been some good, valuable experience gained from what has been a turbulent year.

"There was considerable interest in the job all the way up to Premiership managers. I believe emphatically we have the right man to take us forward."