Former Dutch international great Frank de Boer is the new manager of English Premier League side Crystal Palace it was announced on Monday.

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.
[ad]
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.”

For de Boer — who along with twin brother Ronald were part of a sublimely-talented Dutch side that lost on penalties in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals to Brazil — is not aiming 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.