Crystal Palace: Alan Pardew can lift club - Keith Millen

Only Arsene Wenger has currently been at a Premier League club longer than Alan Pardew

Crystal Palace caretaker manager Keith Millen believes Alan Pardew's "terrific track record" makes him a good fit to become the club's permanent boss.

The Eagles agreed a compensation package for the Newcastle manager after sacking Neil Warnock on Saturday.

"If Alan gets the job you understand why because of his track record and experience," said Millen, 48.

Pardew has secured two top-10 finishes in four seasons, with the Magpies currently 10th in the Premier League.

He is the second-longest-serving manager in the top flight behind Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and made more than 100 appearances for Palace between 1987 and 1991.

"I'm sure the fans will remember Alan with fond memories from what he's done here, so there's a strong link there," added Millen, who hopes to remain in the backroom staff if the move goes through.

"I admire his record. I'm not sure how many of the staff he knows, so it would be a new person coming in with new ideas. That always gives the place a lift anyway.

"The background to the club is quite stable, but the manager has changed too many times, without a doubt."

Millen is in his third caretaker stint at the club and hopes a quick appointment can be made.

He expressed his desire to take the permanent role to chairman Steve Parish but with Pardew given permission to talk to Palace, he looks likely to become the club's fourth manager in two years.

"When I've done this before it's dragged on for a few weeks," said Millen, who deputised after Tony Pulis left before the start of the season.

"That starts having an effect on the group, the not knowing. The January transfer window will be very important to the club. I think the timing of it all, if it can be done as quickly as possible, that would help us."

Palace are 18th in the Premier League and ended Warnock's second spell as manager after he recorded only three wins from his 16 league matches.

Millen presided over defeats against Arsenal and West Ham in August and also took charge when Ian Holloway left in October 2013.

Asked about his own aspirations, Millen said: "I said to the chairman that I can do the job and I think he realises that, he knows me well enough now and he's got that faith in me.

"I'm sure I'll be sitting down with him again like I did before when Neil Warnock got the job."