George Burley has taken over as manager of Crystal Palace looking to revive both his fortunes and those of the Championship club. The 54-year-old finds himself in south London in his first role since he was axed as national boss last November following Scotland's dismal World Cup qualifying campaign.

He takes over a club also needing to rebuild its own reputation, with the Eagles having been on the brink of going bust until the CPFC 2010 consortium saved them at the start of the month.

But it is a challenge Burley, who 10 years ago guided Ipswich to the Premier League and has also managed Derby, Hearts and Southampton, is relishing.

"I'm glad to be back in club football and hopefully I can take the club back to the Premier League," he said. "The club being in administration wasn't easy, we've lost a couple of players and others are out of contract, but I'm looking forward to the challenge.

"Being out of football was unusual. I did a lot of shopping with my wife and I ran the London Marathon, but football has been my life since I went to Ipswich at 15. So I was keen to get back in but it had to be the right opportunity, a job I was excited about and a club with ambition."