Dutch great de Boer given Palace job

Former Dutch international great Frank de Boer is the new manager of English Premier League side Crystal Palace it was announced on Monday.

The 47-year-old, who guided Ajax to four successive league titles before a disappointing short spell at Serie A giants Inter Milan, signed a three year contract.

He fills the vacuum left by Sam Allardyce who stepped down at the end of May shortly after steering Palace to safety.

Palace chairman Steve Parish hailed the hiring of de Boer, who is the only coach in Dutch history to manage a side to four consecutive titles, as a significant landmark appointment for the London club.

“It’s just about the worst kept secret in football,” he told a press conference.

“Fantastically exciting for this football club, an amazing milestone for us. I am excited to work with him and what we can achieve with the club.”

For de Boer, who along with twin brother Ronald were part of a sublimely-talented Dutch side that lost on penalties in the 1998 World Cup semi-finals to Brazil, is not aiming too high initially.

“The aim is to be a solid Premier League team, not to struggle with relegation. That is our main target, if we do more that’s nice,” he said.