Crystal Palace boss Neil Warnock admits Jason Puncheon was ready to leave following his appointment.
The pair almost took a public feud to court last season.
Asked whether Puncheon had asked to leave when he been given the job, Warnock told talkSPORT: "No, I was told he was going to ask to leave before my first day.
"So I was waiting for him to ask but we just had a quick chat, only a 10-minute chat, and he was brilliant really. We went for an evening meal and we talked about it."
Asked what was said, Warnock added: "It was nothing really, just, 'Get on with it.' And I appreciate what he has done.
"The incident that happened, he didn't get the full interview, only a few words from his mates. So when he heard the interview I said I was pleased with him, I said he had been fantastic the last couple of years."
