Crystal Palace appoint Frank de Boer as new boss

Frank de Boer is the new manager of Premier League side Crystal Palace
AFP

London (AFP) – English Premier League side Crystal Palace on Monday appointed former Dutch international Frank de Boer as their new manager

The 47-year-old — who guided Ajax to four successive league titles before a disappointing short spell at Serie A giants Inter Milan — signed a three-year contract.

He fills the vacuum left by Sam Allardyce, who stepped down at the end of May shortly after steering Palace to safety.

Palace chairman Steve Parish hailed the hiring of de Boer — who is the only coach in Dutch history to manage a side to four consecutive titles — as a significant landmark appointment for the London club.

“It’s just about the worst kept secret in football,” he told a press conference.

“Fantastically exciting for this football club, an amazing milestone for us. I am excited to work with him and what we can achieve with the club.”

De Boer, whose brother Ronald played alongside him internationally, was part of a talented Dutch side that lost on penalties in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals to Brazil 

“The aim is to be a solid Premier League team, not to struggle with relegation. That is our main target. If we do more that’s nice,” he said.

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