Crystal Palace appoint Smerud as new manager | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have appointed Leif Smerud as their new manager.

The Eagles announced the news via a post on their official club website this morning.

The 48-year-old Norwegian coach replaces former Crystal Palace head coach Laura Kaminski who left her position yesterday after a little under two years at the helm.

Smerud is the former head coach of the Norwegian Under-21 side. He has also previously filled interim management roles with the senior men’s and women’s teams. He will now be aiming to impress in the elite club game with Crystal Palace.

After being appointed Crystal Palace manager, Smerud said “I’m really honoured, I’m proud and I’m very happy to join Crystal Palace, a club with a long history in football.

“I’ve been lucky enough for 10 years to talk to players about the privilege of representing their country. I believe football is about more than tactics – it’s about a connection with some values, and I really think that Crystal Palace has values that I connect with.

“It’s a club that’s no stranger to hard work and punching above its weight. It’s an honour to connect with a club like that, and the people I’ve met in the process are also brilliant people. I really look forward to representing the club and all that it stands for.”

Smerud takes charge of first team affairs at Crystal Palace with immediate effect.