PREMIER LEAGUE
Frank de Boer: Crystal Palace name Dutchman as new boss
Former Ajax and Inter Milan coach De Boer has been appointed by the Premier League club on a three-year deal, replacing Sam Allardyce.
English Premier League side Crystal Palace have confirmed the appointment of Netherlands great Frank de Boer as their new manager.
De Boer hired on three-year deal to replace Allardyce
The 47-year-old, who guided Ajax to four league titles in a row before a disappointing short spell at Serie A giants Inter Milan, has signed a three-year contract.
He fills the void at Selhurst Park left by Sam Allardyce, who stepped down at the end of May shortly after steering Palace to top-flight safety.
Palace chief "excited" by De Boer appointment
Palace chairman Steve Parish hailed the hiring of de Boer, the only coach in Dutch history to manage a side to four straight titles, as a significant coup for the Londoners.
"It's fantastically exciting for this football club, an amazing milestone for us," he told a press conference. "I am excited to work with him and what we can achieve with the club."
De Boer is not setting his sights too high initially. "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.
De Boer: "This club can grow further and further"
The 112-times capped Dutch international, who spent the bulk of his playing career with Ajax and Barcelona, inherits a talented squad but is looking forward to spending in the market to further strengthen it.
French international centre-back Mamadou Sakho could be one of those after impressing during his loan spell from rivals Liverpool last season.
"This club can grow further and further. They spend a lot of money and there is the possibility to do something well with that money," he said.
"I've not met the players yet, we will look at one or two signings but I think it is necessary to see all the players here first.