Jason Puncheon has now given a rare interview – in which he discusses some conversations from his time at Crystal Palace.
The man born in Croydon left Crystal Palace for Pafos back in the summer of 2019 after his contract expired – having made 169 appearances in total for the Eagles.
Interestingly, Puncheon revealed that Alan Pardew, Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson all made the same comment to him during his time at Selhurst Park…
What several Crystal Palace managers said to Jason Puncheon
The 38-year-old clearly impressed the aforementioned trio with his application in training at Copers Cope, as they all told him that he would make a great coach.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Puncheon said: “It was Alan who first planted the seed, he said I should start thinking about it because he believed I could be a coach.
“Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson both said it to me, too, so that was good sign.”
That is exactly the path Puncheon decided to take immediately after hanging up his boots, as he became Head Coach of Cypriot Second Division side Peyia 2014 – before accepting the chance to become Head Coach at a First Division outfit in AEZ Zakakiou.
Speaking about his experience at Peyia 2014, the Londoner added: “My first job with Peyia – it was all new to me – I was doing all the coaching, all the analysis, planning all the sessions.
“The first four months, it was very hard to switch off. Even my missus said to me she wished I was still playing. It was so stressful. Your brain is constantly working. It was intense. Then you find your feet and it becomes easier.”
38-year-old could make Selhurst Park return
Puncheon was unfortunately sacked by AEZ Zakakiou in March 2024, although his experiences in Cyprus could potentially lead him back to SE25 as a coach in the youth ranks, in our view.
The Crystal Palace cult hero actually referenced a similar role when speaking to the Daily Mail, saying: “Maybe Crystal Palace would have said to me at the end of playing career, come and take the U15s – but I thought if I go to Cyprus and make a name for myself, it may be easier for me to step into coaching which was always the end goal.”
Interestingly, Stuart O’Keefe has just taken up a similar role, returning to Selhurst Park to work in the Academy.
Therefore, it would not surprise us to see Puncheon handed a job by Steve Parish, especially as the likes of Paddy McCarthy, Shaun Derry, Julian Speroni and Andy Johnson have all worked for the Eagles in some capacity since leaving.
