Crystal Palace legend Geoff Thomas says he is stunned by the news of Tony Pulis leaving the club tonight (Thursday).
The former Stoke City boss has reportedly left the club by mutual consent this evening after showdown talks with chairman Steve Parish, with the 56-year-old understood to have clashed with the board over the club's transfer policy.
And Eagles legend Thomas has written on Twitter: "Well I'm stunned by the news of TP going. No point second guessing why but nobody benefits from this at all !!! #cpfc
Several fans have described Pulis as the best manager that the club has had in years, while another former Eagle, Clinton Morrison, has tweeted his disbelief at the news.
He tweeted: "Hope the news that Tony Pulis has left is a joke he has done a great job hopefully something can get sorted out."
But the exit of a man who took Palace from relegation favourites to an 11th placed finish last season has seen fans' optimism ahead of the new season now replaced by trepidation ahead of the trip to Arsenal on Saturday.
And the odds on Palace being relegated have been shortened by bookmakers in the wake of Pulis' departure, with the Eagles now third favourites with the bookmakers for the drop.
