Crystal Palace fans are in dreamland right now after a stunning end to the 2023/24 campaign – and more good news has now emerged regarding Dougie Freedman.
The Glaswegian recently underwent an interview with Newcastle in regards to becoming their new Director of Football – with talks going well, according to the Telegraph.
However, there was a sign of positivity on Wednesday when Football Insider claimed that the Scot had actually turned down the Magpies.
Now – thanks to the Guardian – the reason for Dougie Freedman having second thoughts on leaving Crystal Palace for Newcastle has emerged…
Why Dougie Freedman opted to stay at Crystal Palace
Interestingly, our phenomenal end to the 2023/24 campaign – which saw Oliver Glasner guide Crystal Palace to sevens wins and a draw from the final eight Premier League games – appears to have swayed Freedman.
The Guardian explain that the 49-year-old started to have second thoughts about walking out on Crystal Palace again after such a successful end to the season, which resulted in just a second ever top ten Premier League finish.
He is now set to sign a new contract with a significant pay rise.
Freedman famously left his role as manager at Selhurst Park back in 2012 as the Eagles sat top of the Championship, in favour of taking the reins at Bolton – a decision he regretted.
Speaking in the club’s When Eagles Dare documentary back in 2017, he said: “I knew I made the wrong decision very quickly into my Bolton career, but it was a decision I made and regrettably it was the wrong decision.
“Looking back of course I wouldn’t have went, I would have stayed here and we would have had promotion, and it is probably one of the things that drives me on now. To make up for that disappointing decision I made.”
The Guardian add that Steve Parish requested £2m in compensation from Newcastle for Freedman – far less than the €100m (£85m) he demanded from Bayern Munich after a recent approach for Glasner.
Significant news
It should not be understated just how significant it is for Crystal Palace to have already swatted away interest in Glasner and Freedman, convincing both to stay.
Had both – or even one – opted to leave, it could have caused a domino effect throughout Selhurst Park, amid doubts over the futures of several key players, such as Ebere Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi.
However, with Glasner and Freedman both firmly on board at Crystal Palace, their commitment will hopefully resonate with the playing staff.
