Crystal Palace confirm Dougie Freedman exit as sporting director linked with surprise 'overseas' role | OneFootball

Freedman had previously been in consideration for roles at Manchester United and Newcastle

Crystal Palace have announced that sporting director Dougie Freedman will leave the club to take an overseas job.

Freedman, who had two spells at Palace as a player, was linked with a job at Manchester United after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival, and also turned down an offer from Newcastle last year.

According to The Telegraph, Freedman could now take up a role in Saudi Arabia.

"It’s been an honour to represent the club and I am incredibly proud of the work that’s been done, with the Chairman’s support, in growing the football club into its current position.

"To be leaving the club with a squad full of exciting talent led by an excellent manager, I truly believe the foundations are in place to be built upon.”

Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “Dougie has been instrumental in everything we have done over the past eight years and indeed had a huge impact before that as manager and, of course, as a player.

“I have enjoyed working with him immensely and wish him every success for the future. Dougie leaves behind an excellent and well-structured sporting department that I’m sure will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Reports suggest that Iain Moody could see an increased workload in his current consultancy role to cover for Freedman while the search for a permanent replacement is ongoing.

Moody was Palace’s sporting director for almost a year between 2013 and 2014, but left after it was alleged that he shared racist, sexist and homophobic texts with Malky Mackay when they worked together at Cardiff.