Frank de Boer named Crystal Palace manager

Frank de Boer has been named Crystal Palace boss

Frank de Boer has been appointed Crystal Palace manager on a three-year contract.

The Dutchman replaces Sam Allardyce in the job and is the club's first full-time foreign boss, although Attilio Lombardo had a brief spell in caretaker charge in 1998.

De Boer has been out of work since an 85-day spell in charge of Inter Milan ended at the start of November last year.

The 47-year-old was previously boss at Ajax, where he won four straight Dutch league titles between 2011 and 2014.

"I am thrilled to be appointed as manager of Crystal Palace Football Club," de Boer said in a statement. "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."

Speaking alongside chairman Steve Parish at a press conference, de Boer added: "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.

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"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."

Chairman Steve Parish said De Boer had impressed in his interview with his knowledge of Palace and his commitment to join despite interest from elsewhere.

Parish was also swayed by De Boer's track record with young players at Ajax and confirmed his new man will have the final say on recruitment.