Crystal Palace Sporting Director Dougie Freedman has impressed in his spell at the club, helping mastermind their Premier League project.
Dougie Freedman has caught the attention of plenty of clubs in recent years, thanks to the work he has managed at Crystal Palace. The former manager turned Sporting Director has masterminded the club’s Premier League project.
In becoming regulars at the top level, Freedman has ensured that some of the best talent from elsewhere have made their way to Selhurst Park on limited funds. It comes as little surprise that, as a result, teams are starting to take notice.
So with that said, here’s a look at everything you need to know about Dougie Freedman and his career so far.
Who is Dougie Freedman?
Dougie Freedman is the Sporting Director of Crystal Palace. The 50-year-old has overseen the project at Selhurst Park that has seen some of the biggest and brightest names in the Premier League join the Eagles.
Dougie Freedman career
Dougie Freedman had a professional playing career, where he featured for Barnet, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Southend United and Crystal Palace. He spent the majority of his career with Palace, starring as a striker.
In two spells with the London club, Freedman featured over 300 times and scored 95 times in a ten-year overall stint. There was also a call-up on the international stage as he featured twice for the Scotland national team.
Following his retirement from playing, the next logical step was to take towards management. That began at Crystal Palace, where he spent one season in charge before jumping to Bolton Wanderers as their head coach.
A two-year stay with Bolton ended in 2014, before another former club came knocking in Nottingham Forest. Freedman only lasted a year at the City Ground, which is where his management journey ends so far.
The Sporting Director role with Crystal Palace came around in 2017, with a plan to keep the team sustainable in the Premier League.
Dougie Freedman Crystal Palace signings
In his time back at Crystal Palace, Dougie Freedman has had a huge impact in keeping the squad at a Premier League standard. Young signings that have performed well in the Championship have often been a strong suit of Palace’s recent transfer strategy.
Some of the greatest examples of those have been Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, along with the loan signing of Conor Gallagher. The Eagles will be hopeful that January signing Adam Wharton is the latest to join this list.
Dougie Freedman to Man Utd
With such an impressive tenure at Crystal Palace, follows some interest from other clubs. According to a report from the Independent, Manchester United are looking at a potential deal to land Dougie Freedman in the near future.
With Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent investment at Old Trafford, there’s set to be a large overhaul behind the scenes to rework their recruitment, with Freedman seemingly a key target.
Steve Parish praise
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has been full of praise for Sporting Director Dougie Freedman since his involvement at the club. Speaking on the Rest Is Football Podcast, he said: “He’s a brilliant guy. He was the second manager I had at the club. He was instrumental in us getting promoted.
“He’s been instrumental, he saved the club [as a player] when we were about to get relegated from the Championship with a last-minute goal at Stockport. He got us promoted while playing for Wolves. He’s got a real affinity to the club and works really hard.
“We have signed some really good players and most importantly – the transfer window which is probably the hardest part of the job – it’s fun being involved in it with him. The fact he’s being linked with clubs like that [Manchester United] show he’s doing the right thing.”
