Palace players doubting De Boer’s management

Crystal Palace’s first-team 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 and disillusionment over his man-management. The players have struggled to adapt to De Boer’s demands to play a more possessionbased style built around three at the back and there has been confusion over his communication skills.

De Boer, 47, arrived in June on a three-year contract but strain has developed between the Dutchman and the Palace hierarchy. That became even more acute following the home defeat against Swansea City on Saturday which followed another loss, also at home, against newly promoted Huddersfield and a defeat at Liverpool.

It has not helped De Boer’s standing in the dressing room that he suggested his players lacked courage following the Swansea defeat.

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 will be asked to step in and take the team at least in the short-term.