They may have looked like a couple of old friends parting ways but Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan and ex-manager Iain Dowie would now consider themselves best of enemies.

The pair's turbulent working relationship came to an end on Monday when Jordan announced Dowie would be leaving the club by mutual consent, citing the ex-Eagles boss' desire to work closer to his family home in Bolton as the reason behind his departure.

Dowie, however, added fuel to Jordan's fire by contradicting his former employer's explanation by revealing the major factor behind his decision was the need for a new challenge regardless of the location and even indicated he may relocate his family, something he chose not to do at Palace.

"Maybe the issue is sometimes you have to move your family, said Dowie. "All I'm saying is that it's time for a different challenge, there's no other agenda."

Dowie's keenness to shun talk of geographical issues is a likely attempt to avoid harming his chances of landing the vacant managerial position at Charlton Athletic, where he was reported to have had an interview yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon.

The former Northern Ireland striker is second favourite to take over from the departed Alan Curbishley behind Preston manager Billy Davies, who had his interview with the Addicks the day Dowie officially left the Eagles.

Ironically, if Davies does receive the go-ahead from Charlton, Dowie would be interested in taking over from his Charlton rival at Deepdale, as it would enable him to live in his family home in nearby Bolton and not take a step back in management.

But arguably the biggest job of them all on Dowie's shortlist Middlesborough could become a reality if Terry Venables, who has been offered the job, spurns the advances of the UEFA Cup finalists and takes an advisory role with England a position he is said to be keen on, citing unfinished business with the country he managed during Euro 96.

But whatever the outcome of Dowie's next foray into football management his spell at Palace will live long in the memory.

He guided Palace from a near impossible position into the Premiership in his first season and was coveted as one of the country's brightest managerial talents.

But it was Palace's elevation to the top flight where confrontations began. Palace's inability to attract players due to Jordan's refusal to pay players agents and the state of Palace's training ground, which Dowie was desperate to improve, were factors.

When the Eagles were relegated after just one season there were signs the two had reached a compromise. Jordan's public show of affection to the distraught Palace boss on the pitch at the Valley when relegation was confirmed showed solidarity which was backed up by Jordan providing Dowie with money to spend in the summer and the transfer window to bring in new faces But the Eagles' failed play-off campaign was the last straw for the pair and a parting of the ways seemed to be the only option. Jordan felt he had to make the decision and insisted the pair had not fallen out, despite striker Clinton Morrison claiming they had rowed last week.

"I have a professional job to do which is to build this football club in the short-term and the intermediate term," said Jordan. "I can't build a football club alongside a manager that may not be here for any given period of time so a decision has to be made for the betterment of the club and the betterment of the individual."

The future of Dowie's backroom staff, Neil McDonald, John Harbin and Kit Symons remains unclear, but Jordan did indicate Bob Dowie would be staying on for at least the short-term to help find his brother's successor.

The Palace chairman reiterated the importance of the coming season in relation to the finances of the club as Palace are in their final season of receiving Premiership parachute payments following their relegation from the top flight.

Jordan wants a man with a track record of getting clubs into the Premiership and favourites for the job - Mick McCarthy and Graeme Souness fit his criteria.