Frank de Boer sacked as Palace manager after just 77 days

Crystal Palace have inexplicably sacked Frank de Boer as their manager after just 77 days and five games in charge – including just four in the Premier League.

The Dutchman took the helm during the summer after a comprehensive search for Sam Allardyce’s replacement. Days before his appointment, bookmakers were uncertain whether Palace would move for then-Alaves manager Mauricio Pellegrino, Burnley manager Sean Dyche and free agent Frank de Boer.

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Palace plumped for de Boer and understood that the Dutchman need to instil new tactics and methods into his squad upon his arrival.

However, the Eagles are currently 19th placed in the Premier League following their 1-0 loss at Burnley on Sunday. Palace had been much the better team in that match but failed to put away their chances. Unfortunately, the Eagles were on the backfoot from the early stages after Lee Chung-Yong gifted Chris Wood a golden opportunity one-on-one after just five minutes.

That result succeeded losses against Swansea, Liverpool and Huddersfield Town in the weeks previous. Palace also failed to score in all four of those matches, which almost certainly made the hierarchy’s decision a little easier.

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His brief spell in charge is officially the shortest Premier League managerial tenure in terms of games. Les Reed, current Southampton Vice-Chairman and Head of Football Development, will undoubtedly be grateful to hear the news, given he was the previous holder of this title with just seven games to his name.

After announcing de Boer’s departure on the club website, Palace said: “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.”

Ex-England, West Brom and Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has been offered a two-year deal to replace de Boer and is set to be unveiled later this week.