Ex Crystal Palace, Millwall and QPR cult hero quits new manager job after just 21 days
Jason Puncheon holds a Premier League cult hero status but his latest management venture has not lasted long.
Former Crystal Palace, QPR and Millwall star Jason Puncheon has quit his latest managerial role after a measly two games in charge. The 38-year-old lasted just 21 days as Ayia Napa head coach.
Puncheon only took the role at the end of October following previous stints with Peyia 2014 and AEZ Zakakiou. The head coach achieved back-to-back 1-0 wins in the Cypriot second division but was announced to have left the outfit by mutual consent this week.
A club statement on Tuesday read: "Ayia Napa Sports Club announces the mutual consent termination of its cooperation with coach Jason Puncheon. Assistant coach Christos Tsapatsoulis also left our team. The board wishes both the best in their professional careers."
It's the latest saga in the former winger's management career, after he was sacked by AEZ Zakakiou after just seven matches earlier this year. Puncheon didn't record a single win during his time with that club.
Former QPR and Millwall man’s Cyprus journey
Before moving into management, the former Eagles man had finished his playing career in Cyprus with brief spells at Pafos FC, Anorthosis Famagusta FC, and Kissos FC Kissonergas between 2019 and 2024.
Puncheon began his playing career at MK Dons but enjoyed his most notable spells at Southampton and Crystal Palace, where he became a Premier League regular. He bagged 23 top-flight goals while in the UK and was part of the Crystal Palace side that finished as runners-up in the FA Cup in 2016.
The former midfielder also turned out for London outfits Wimbledon FC, where he made his first senior appearance, Millwall and QPR. Puncheon's time at The Den was as an emergency loan option in November 2010 but was prolific as he bagged five goals in seven appearances. He would only make two appearances for the Rs in an unsuccessful short loan spell in 2011.
The midfielder is, of course, famous for running off the pitch mid-game for Southampton to answer a call of nature before returning to action minutes later in early 2013. The moment has inspired some iconic supporter chants and Puncheon even referenced the piece of Premier League folklore in a celebration weeks later as he pretended to wipe his behind having netted against Manchester City.
Puncheon remembers Crystal Palace as ‘special’ place
When he left Crystal Palace in 2019, Puncheon shared a message of love for the club and said: "I want to say thank you to the fans. I want to say thank you to Steve Parish, you know he brought me here after being on loan. I want to thank all the managers I had. I want to thank Roy [Hodgson] especially because he’s been brilliant for me in this last part. I said about Danny [Young] the kitman, he’s a good man.
"But without the fans... everybody around the football club... It’s a special club, it’s a place that will always stay in my heart – thank you, everyone. I wish the football club all the best for the future."