Dutchman Frank de Boer has been sacked as Crystal Palace manager after just four Premier League matches.
Following a run of four defeats and no goals scored in the opening four matches of the Premier League season, De Boer’s 77-day reign will now go down as the shortest managerial tenure in Premier League history.
His only victory as Palace manager came in the EFL Cup against Ipswich Town.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a statement the club said: “Crystal Palace Football Club have this morning 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.”
The Dutchman’s departure means Palace will be looking for their seventh permanent manager in six years. Former England manager Roy Hodgson is rumoured to be hot favourite for the job and could be appointed within the next 24 hours.
De Boer, who lasted just 88 days at Inter Milan boss, signed a three-year deal at Selhurst Park and was seen as the right manager to build a long-term structure at the club.
Despite the disappointing early results, The Independent reported that Palace chairman Steve Parish had insisted “we have to stick together”.
Today’s news has therefore come as a surprise to fans and pundits, with some hitting out at the decision.
A “farcical” decision says the BBC’s Phil McNulty.
The Liverpool Echo’s James Pearce says it’s “ridiculous”.
Bleacher Report looked at the funny side…
Not enough time for evolution.
An “absolute disgrace” says former footballer Michael Stewart.
Relegation-bound says the Liverpool Fans Corner.
This fan responded to Paris Hilton’s question on Twitter...
-
How do new stadiums affect football clubs?In the Spotlight Everton's decision to move its men's team out of Goodison Park could be a catalyst for vital change, but there are cautionary tales too
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
-
Where are all the English football managers?Talking Point Eddie Howe's Carabao Cup success underlines absence of homegrown coaching talent in the Premier League
-
New Trafford: can it fix Manchester United's footballing problems?Talking Point Plan for £2 billion stadium despite staff job losses and lack of success on the pitch
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden bootfeature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
