Ian Holloway admitted that he had tried to “change too much, too quickly” at Crystal Palace after stepping down as manager on Wednesday.

Holloway confirmed his exit from the club at a London press conference, saying he had come to the end of the road following Monday night’s 4-1 home defeat to fellow strugglers Fulham.

Speculation surrounded Holloway’s job following a meeting with chairman Steve Parish after that game. And the duo appeared together yesterday to confirm Holloway’s departure.

“I’d rather call a meeting because some of the stuff I’ve been reading is total nonsense,” Holloway explained. “We still care immensely about Palace.

“It is a privilege to have worked at Palace. With me out the way, the new man will have a chance to start again.”

Under Holloway, Palace reached the Premier League via the play-offs but they have struggled in the top-flight, winning once but losing seven of their opening eight games. They are currently 19th in the table, five points off safety.

Holloway, who made a raft of summer signings, accepted that he had tried to change too much at the club but insisted that the new signings would eventually pay dividends.

“I’m not saying my new signings aren’t good enough,” he added. “But they need to buy into this football club the same way my other lads did.”

Holloway, who reports suggest could be replaced by ex-Stoke boss Tony Pulis, is the Premier League’s second mangerial casuality of the season after Paolo di Canio was sacked by Sunderland.