Crystal Palace appoint De Boer as manager

Crystal Palace have named former Ajax and Inter
Milan manager Frank de Boer as their new boss
on a three-year contract.
The 47-year-old Dutchman succeeds Sam
Allardyce, who left after helping Palace avoid
relegation last season.
"The aim is to be a solid Premier League team,
not to struggle with relegation," said the former
defender, who won 112 caps for the Netherlands.
"That is our main target - if we do more that's
nice."
Between 2010 and 2016, De Boer managed Ajax,
winning the Eredivisie four years in a row
between 2011 and 2015.
However, he had been out of work since being
sacked by Italian side Inter in November after
only 85 days in charge - although he said he
learned "a lot" from his brief time at the San Siro.
"I had a good feeling about the club and the
prospect of managing a team in the Premier
League was exciting," added De Boer.
"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.
"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." De Boer had stints at Ajax and Barcelona, as well
as six months at Rangers, during his playing
career, while he was also Netherlands assistant
manager from 2008 to 2010.
He said he had spoken to fellow Dutchman and
ex-Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal
prior to becoming Palace's first permanent non-
British manager.
"I have my own type of coaching and style of
playing. We want to be dominant when we can,
but also dominate when we don't have the ball,"
he said.
"Also for the fans, we must try to be attractive.
Palace has a very enthusiastic and passionate
fanbase, so they will want to see that."
Eagles chairman Steve Parish said he had been
"surprised" by Allardyce's departure but had
consulted with the ex-England boss about his
successor.
He added that De Boer's experience of developing
young players was one of the attributes that
made him suitable for the Selhurst Park club.
"It's fantastically exciting for this football club,
an amazing milestone for us," said Parish.
"I am excited to work with him and by what we
can achieve with the club." De Boer stepped down at Ajax days after missing
out on a fifth league title to PSV Eindhoven on
the final day of the 2015-16 campaign.
He is thought to have impressed the Palace
hierarchy with his knowledge of the club and his
footballing vision.
It is said the respect and humbleness he showed
was striking, especially given how much he
achieved as a player, including winning 112 caps
for the Netherlands.
The former Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers defender
is understood to have committed to giving
players from the existing squad a chance to
impress before looking to make new signings.
Palace have invested heavily in recent transfer
windows, but will back De Boer and have made
him aware of their budget.