Neil Warnock has been fired as manager of Crystal Palace, becoming the first Premier League sacking of the 14-15 season.

The club’s owners decided to relieve the manager of his duties in the wake of the 3-1 home defeat by Southampton on Boxing Day, a result that drew boos from the Selhurst Park crowd and sent Palace tumbling into the relegation zone.

“I slept on it, really, and just spoke to a few people and made my mind up this morning,” co-chairman Steve Parish told the Croydon Advertiser. “Neil is a great guy and he wanted to do it at Palace. It just hasn’t happened. It just wasn’t working. You always want it sorted out as soon as possible but I haven’t got anyone lined up.”

Warnock’s dismissal brings an end to a four-month tenure after he took over following Tony Pulis’s resignation on the eve of the new season. In 17 matches Warnock led the team to three wins, six draws and eight defeats.