Crystal Palace sack De Boer
Crystal Palace sack De Boer
Crystal Palace have confirmed they have sacked Frank de Boer after just 77 days as manager, with Roy Hodgson set to replace him at Selhurst Park.
The Dutchman, who succeeded Sam Allardyce in June, lost all four of his Premier League games without scoring; the worst start of any top-flight club in 93 years.
The Eagles dominated in a 1-0 defeat at Burnley on Sunday and De Boer hoped an improved performance would save him, but on Monday morning he was confirmed as the shortest-serving Premier League manager in terms of matches.
Sky sources understand that Hodgson is set to sign a two-year contract as his successor and bring in Ray Lewington, who worked with him for England, as his assistant.
But what they will be tasked with is unclear, after De Boer had been appointed to revamp Palace's style of football and make them more effective in possession; mirroring that of Ajax, with whom he won four Eredivisie titles.
At the 47-year-old's unveiling in June, chairman Steve Parish said: "There were 37 managers on the shortlist. I talked to all of them and said 'we need an evolution over a period of time'.
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"The technical detail is Frank's world. We need to find a way of breaking down teams that give us the ball. If teams give us the ball, typically we lose. If we give them the ball, we beat them."
De Boer's side improved their performances despite losing to Huddersfield, Liverpool and Swansea and, after they controlled the game at Turf Moor on Sunday, Parish insisted the club needed to "stick together" - a sentiment echoed by injured winger Wilfried Zaha.
De Boer had vowed to fight and said he was "convinced" they could achieve their objectives, but Palace issued a statement shortly before midday on Monday that read: "Crystal Palace have parted company with Frank de Boer.
"We would like to thank Frank for his dedication and hard work during his time at the club. A new manager will be appointed in due course and we wish Frank the very best of luck for the future."