The sparks won't fly between us, says Jordan

Both men are never short of opinions and waste no time telling anyone within earshot what they think.

Warnock is Jordan's ninth manager at Crystal Palace in seven years and was among the guests at the chairman's 40th birthday bash last month.

Jordan declined to reveal why former manager Peter Taylor had refused his invitation to the party but said there was nothing sinister in Warnock's presence because old Palace bosses Steve Bruce and Trevor Francis had also been there.

Jordan said: "Why Neil Warnock? I have been a big admirer of Neil's for years. He represents everything I want in a manager - he is a winner, which is an expression which is much overused, and he has a desire to be successful.

"In my tenure as Palace chairman, every time I looked at my team, certainly in the Championship, I benchmarked it against how we played against Sheffield United because they were always a team that were difficult to play against.

"He gets his players going, he is a manager, he leads and that is what I think this football club needs. Sparks won't fly between us. I don't like deceit and I don't like being lied to but we will never leave a room where the other person doesn't know what the other is thinking. He represents everything I want in a manager.

"I have set no targets but I want success as soon as possible. Neil's actions will speak louder than my words."

Warnock also insisted Palace fans had no reason to be concerned about how the pair can forge a working relationship.

But Warnock added: "It is normal to have one or two disagreements and the wife was worried we could fall out over football. But we are confident we can make it work.

"I know what kind of guy Simon is and perhaps he does need to calm down a bit. He seems not to be able to bite his tongue, but that's just his enthusiasm.

"Some players liked Peter, some didn't. I want us to have some fun, we need to smile more and have some fun.

"Clubs I've left have always been better off than when I joined. I know other managers have just been jealous of me and didn't want to play my teams because they were so good."

Warnock confirmed he will be bringing in Mick Jones and Keith Curle as his assistants, but will speak with the Palace coaching staff, including Kit Symons, today. He will also be looking to move his family down south.

Warnock added that he has always loathed Palace and said: "I hate coming to Palace. I could never find the ground, it always takes 10 hours.

"There are people having a go at you as you walk up the tunnel, but I have a lot of respect for the supporters. They're a vociferous bunch."