Premier League: Crystal Palace appoint Frank de Boer as manager

Crystal Palace have announced the appointment of Dutchman Frank de Boer as their new manager and the new boss has signed a three-year contract with the Eagles. The 47-year-old Dutch manager replaces Sam Allardyce at Crystal Palace as the former boss decided to retire after having rescued the club from relegation last season. Frank de Boer, a former Dutch international as a player with 112 caps for his country, has been a head coach at Ajax and Inter Milan before joining the Eagles. "The aim is to be a solid Premier League team, not to struggle with relegation," Frank de Boer said. "That is our main target - if we do more that's nice." De Boer had an impressive track record as head coach at Ajax Amsterdam, where he has been in charge between 2010 and 2016 and won the league title in four consecutive seasons. His first experience abroad was not that good, he got sacked by Inter Milan in November 2016 after less than three months in charge. "I had a good feeling about the club and the prospect of managing a team in the Premier League was exciting," De Boer added. "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, who becomes the first permanent non-British manager at Crystal Palace, admitted that he discussed the offer with former Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal. Crystal Palace are 3/1 at Bet365 to finish inside the Premier League top half next season.