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Crystal Palace announce de Boer as Allardyce replacement

New Crystal Palace manager: Frank de Boer
New Crystal Palace manager: Frank de Boer

Frank de Boer has penned a three-year contract at Crystal Palace.

The Dutchman, previously of Ajax and Inter Milan, has replaced Sam Allardyce as manager of the Eagles.

The 47-year-old told a press conference: “The club can still grow further and further, because every year English clubs spend a lot of money, so it is possible to do something well.

“There is a lot of prospect to be a solid Premier League club.

“I have to see the players first, but I have my ideas, maybe one or two signings.

“We want to be a solid Premier League club, not a team which struggles for relegation, this is the target.

“If we can do more, then that is nice, but first is to be a very solid Premier League club.

“I have confidence with the team who is around me and the players that we can build a solid club.”

Speaking to the Crystal Palace website, he added: “I am thrilled to be appointed as manager of Crystal Palace Football Club.

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“It is a great honour to take charge of such an historic club, a club that is known around the world for its hugely proud and passionate fan base.

“This role is a hugely exciting opportunity for me, and I cannot wait to get started in the Premier League with the players and staff here in south London.”

It is believed De Boer brushed off competition from a number of other managers, including the likes of Thomas Tuchel and Mauricio Pellegrino – who opted for a move to Southampton.

Parish revealed there had been a thorough recruitment process, with several candidates interviewed as the club looked to find the coach who best shared their vision for the future.

He added: “Things take time, but we now have someone in ahead of a pre-season tour to Asia, so we will iron a few things out and see who we need to bring in.


“I am pleased to welcome him to Crystal Palace and I know he cannot wait to get started and prepare for our record breaking fifth season in the top flight.”

Allardyce resigned on May 24 and, as a sign of the time it has taken, the club put out a tweet to show white smoke rising from a chimney to signal the news.

Parish also paid tribute to the efforts of Allardyce, who had been appointed in late December following the sacking of Alan Pardew and masterminded a route to safety over the closing weeks of the last campaign.

“I was a bit disappointed, but we always felt Sam was probably going to re-evaluate his position at the end of the season,” Parish said.

“I really enjoyed working with Sam, and we spoke to him over the new appointment and what we were planning to do.

“Sam was key to keeping us in the division and we will welcome him back at the club any time.”

The former Barcelona and and Rangers defender left his last job at Serie A side Inter Milan in November – having been in charge for only 14 matches – after he was unable to produce the consistency which saw him deliver the Eredivisie title with Ajax over four consecutive seasons.

Additional reporting by PA

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