Palace will aim to raise De Boer
FRANK DE BOER stepped into his new job as Crystal Palace manager yesterday and was set a target of saving the club from the heartache of another relegation battle.
Dutchman De Boer was told where his priorities lay by chairman Steve Parish, who pointed out that Palace’s home form is the reason they are always fighting for their salvation.
Now De Boer, who made his name as a brilliant leader at Ajax, knows just where he stands at Selhurst Park.
The man whose career was so influenced by Dutch master Johan Cruyff said: “I am excited but there is a lot to lose and a lot to gain.
“You can say I am the right man but in six months you can shake hands and that’s it. But Steve is positive about this and so am I. If you don’t want to struggle against relegation then you must win your home games, that is very important.”
Parish, who has appointed Palace’s first permanent non-British manager, said: “We have been in the bottom three two seasons running for home form.
“We got away with not going down last season but it was close, make no mistake. At times, the stress involved was incredible.
“If we don’t get better and do something different it could happen again. We are already [at odds of] 12-l for the drop next season. We have to move this club forward. I believe Frank can achieve what we want.
“The pressure to stay up now is almost unbearable, the fans’ hopes and dreams and their fears, even jobs can rely on it. To improve this club and then lose it in one season would be terrible. So, if Frank fails, it’s my failure too.
“We had a long list of 37 names that we gradually reduced. We believe it is one of the most desirable jobs in football.”
Palace eventually ended last season in 14th place after Sam Allardyce – in his first role since losing the England job – pulled them clear from danger, having taken over in November when they were bottom, before quitting last month.
De Boer, who turned down Liverpool three years ago, said: “It is in the Dutch DNA to try to play tactical and technical football. Cruyff was such an influence, and was fantastic for me.
“But now I am very proud to be facing the challenges of the Premier League. I have heard about the fans at Selhurst Park and I cannot wait to sit on the bench on our first home match and experience the support we will get.”
Parish also revealed that one of the reasons star winger Wilfried Zaha signed a new contract, despite being wanted by Tottenham, was because De Boer had been in early talks with Palace.
He said: “There was more pressure to get the right man for the job. I didn’t go out to not get a British manger but one who had all the credentials we were looking for.”
De Boer will assess his backroom staff over the next week before formally meeting the players on Friday and laying down his blueprint for the future.
Cruyff was a huge influence