UK Edition
Crystal Palace players already questioning Frank De Boer's management
Crystal Palace players have privately expressed their reservations about manager Frank de Boer, whose future at the club is in serious doubt after losing his first three Premier League matches.
There is, according to one senior player, uncertainty over De Boer’s tactics but also, crucially, disillusionment over his man-management since the former Ajax and Inter Milan coach arrived at Palace in late June to succeed Sam Allardyce.
The players have struggled to adapt to De Boer’s demands to play a more possession-based style built around three at the back while there has also been confusion over the 47-year-old’s communication skills.
De Boer arrived on a three-year contract but strain has also quickly developed between the Dutchman and Palace’s hierarchy. That became even more acute following the home defeat against Swansea City on Saturday which followed another loss, on the opening weekend, also at home, to newly-promoted Huddersfield Town and a defeat away to Liverpool.
It has not helped De Boer’s standing in the dressing room that he suggested the Palace players lacked courage following the Swansea defeat which he had said, pre-match, was a “must-win” game.
Dougie Freedman, who is a former Palace player and manager, was appointed the club’s sporting director only last week in a move that was apparently encouraged by De Boer who has always worked under that system.
However if Palace do decide to make a change it is likely that Freedman, giving his experience and connection with the supporters, will be asked to step in and take the team at least in the short-term.
Palace have the international break to consider what to do but it is possible that, even at this early stage in the season, De Boer could leave. Palace’s next match is away to Burnley on Sunday September 10 and it already feels like a fixture they cannot afford to lose.
Appointing De Boer was always something of a risk for Palace given he inherited a squad perhaps not designed to play the kind of football he appears to be insisting upon. De Boer arrived promising “evolution not revolution” but has so far proved rigid in his demands and tried to make significant changes too quickly which has de-stablised the team.
De Boer held talks with Palace on Monday which were ostensibly to drive through any new signings before the transfer window closes on Thursday but were expected to also include how he hopes to turn things around.
It has been pointed out to De Boer that he has lost the first three matches with an aggregate score of 6-0. Palace are yet to score a goal never mind win a point, with pretty much the same squad that beat Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea last season.