Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish has now hit back at Neil Warnock after comments made by the 75-year-old in 2023.
The 58-year-old previously hired the man from Sheffield back in 2014 after Tony Pulis walked out of Selhurst Park on the eve of the 2014/15 campaign.
Warnock oversaw three wins in 17 Premier League games that season before Alan Pardew replaced him in the hotseat – and has now been involved in a war of words with Steve Parish…
What Steve Parish said to Neil Warnock
Well, Warnock spoke to Express FM back in February 2023 – where he told a story about Parish and Liverpool No.4 Virgil van Dijk.
The Yorkshireman explained how Crystal Palace could have signed the Netherlands international from Celtic for just £3m – but the move was blocked.
Warnock said: “I told the Chairman (Parish) he’s gonna cost £3m, but he’s a good player, comfortable on the ball. I just thought it would be a formality.
“The Chairman told me next time I saw him, we don’t think he’s quick enough, this player… that’s on the data he said. So, we didn’t sign him, and this lad was called Van Dijk.”
Now, Parish has hit back.
The businessman from Forest Hill posted a video of another interview where Warnock told this exact story during his time at Cardiff, albeit with the inclusion of a £6m price tag rather than £3m.
Parish wrote: “Then there’s always the true version 😉 2014 – 2023 vintage Love you Neil ❤️💙”
Clearly, the Crystal Palace Chairman disputes his involvement in what could well be one of the worst recruitment mistakes in football history.
Crystal Palace in better hands now
These were messy times in terms of recruitment, as Crystal Palace adopted something of a scattergun approach in the market.
Now – however – we are in much better hands with Dougie Freedman as Director of Football.
The Glaswegian has done a tremendous job since Parish appointed him back in August 2017, signing gems such as Michael Olise and Ebere Eze for just £8m and £16m respectively.
Even Manchester United have shown interest in hiring Freedman as a result of his fine work.
Hopefully, a move to Old Trafford does not materialise for the 49-year-old, and he can build a strong squad for Oliver Glasner.
