Ex-Ger De Boer ‘excited’ about Palace challenge
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FRANK DE BOER is “very excited” about the opportunity to take over as Crystal Palace manager, according to his twin brother Ronald.
The Eagles look set to be closing in on their next new boss following the surprise resignation of Sam Allardyce at the end of last season, having just successfully secured the club’s Premier League status.
A number of coaches were said to have been on the south London club’s shortlist – including Marco Silva, who has since taken over at Watford following his departure from relegated Hull, and Mauricio Pellegrino, the Argentine now appearing on the verge of joining Southampton.
However, it now appears former Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers defender De Boer is in pole position to take over at Selhurst Park, where he would be- come the eighth manager in seven years as the board eye an appointment for the long-term.
“He is very excited,” said Ronald de Boer. “I know they are talking and I think it’s just about little terms with the coaching staff etc, so I don’t see any problem, but of course it is not for me to say if it is a done deal.”
De Boer, 47, left his last job at Inter Milan in November – having been in charge for only 14 matches – after he was unable to produce the consistency which saw him deliver the Eredivisie title for Ajax over four consecutive seasons.
Ronald de Boer believes his brother can make an impact on the English top flight, where fellow former Oranje international Ronald Koeman has enjoyed successful spells at both Southampton and then last season at Everton.
“It’s the biggest league – everybody knows it, everybody is watching the Premier League,” Ronald de Boer said.
“You can do really something if you have the chance, because there is money involved and you can buy players.
“It is an interesting league to see what you are capable of, fitting a team together that is good enough for the Premier League.”