LONDON, England (AFP) — Neil Warnock yesterday became the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season when he was sacked by strugglers Crystal Palace.

“Crystal Palace Football Club can today confirm that Neil Warnock has been relieved of his duties and is no longer first-team manager,” a statement on the club’s official website announced.

The 66-year-old will be replaced by Keith Millen who takes over in a “caretaker role” for today’s game against Queens Park Rangers.

Warnock’s dismissal comes less than 24 hours after Friday’s 3-1 loss to Southampton, leaving the London club with just one win in their last 12 league matches.

This latest below par performance pushed the team which had shocked Liverpool last month into the relegation zone.

In their statement Palace added: “The club would like to put on record its thanks to Neil for all his hard work and energy over the past four months.

“Keith Millen will lead the team against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow as caretaker manager.”

The Palace board will be keen to make a swift appointment given the transfer window is days away from reopening.

Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood and Tony Popovic are already standout candidates to replace Warnock, with the latter having last month led Western Sydney Wanderers to the Asian Champions League.

The former Australia international has strong ties with the Eagles, having played for the club for five seasons before returning in 2011 as part of Dougie Freedman’s backroom set-up.

Sherwood is again in the running for a job he ruled himself out of in August, with the ex-Spurs head coach saying he would have wanted to succeed Pulis had he been offered the position after his interview.

Malky Mackay, now in charge at Wigan, had been the favourite to succeed Pulis, only for allegations of misconduct to see Palace end their interest.

Warnock began his second spell at Palace in August, replacing Tony Pulis.

Friday’s defeat to Southampton saw Warnock incense home fans by bringing defender Martin Kelly on for winger Yannick Bolasie when they were three goals down, while there were also boos from the Selhurst Park faithful at the final whistle.

“When you lose a game you’re responsible, I’ve no complaints about that,” he said of the fans’ reaction.

This file picture taken on December 20, shows Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock ahead of the English Premier League football match against Manchester City. (PHOTOS: AFP)

Former Crystal Palace manager Neil Warnock reacts during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London in Novemember.