Sam Allardyce Appointed Crystal Palace Manager: Latest Details and Reaction

Sam Allardyce is the new manager of Crystal Palace after the club confirmed his appointment on Friday.

The Eagles revealed the deal was finalised with a statement on their official website, with Allardyce agreeing to a contract for two-and-a-half years. 

The 62-year-old takes over at Selhurst Park in place of Alan Pardew, who was sacked on December 22 following a terrible 2016. Allardyce takes over a club that is in 17th place in the Premier League table, one point clear of the relegation zone.

Paul Gilham/Getty Images

It’s the first role taken on by the new Palace boss since his infamous 67-day spell in charge of the England national team; he left the post in September by mutual consent after a sting from the Daily Telegraph captured Allardyce advising how to "get around” Football Association rules.

While the stint in charge of the Three Lions was a blemish on his managerial record, Allardyce will bring plenty of experience with him to south London, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Indeed, the former Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Sunderland chief has fashioned a reputation for getting sides back on track. For those Palace fans who are concerned about the drop, he’s a manager who has never been relegated from the top flight.

His last post at Sunderland saw the veteran manager do an impressive job. The Black Cats were in terrible form when Allardyce replaced Dick Advocaat, but he shored the team up, made some key January signings and secured Premier League safety at the expense of local rivals Newcastle United.

According to sports journalist Ed Malyon, Allardyce has had some ideas about how to turn Palace around for a while:

Club chairman Steve Parish told the club's official website the Eagles are ecstatic someone like Allardyce was available: "We are delighted to be able to make an appointment so quickly and fortunate that someone of Sam’s calibre and experience was available."

At Selhurst Park, he will take over a squad that has talent but is low on confidence and in possession of a brittle mentality.

A striker like Christian Benteke should excel under Allardyce, who is renowned for playing a direct style of football that relies on a strong target man. Additionally, players like Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend should offer a frequent supply line from the flanks.

But top of Allardyce’s agenda will be organising a Palace side that were so ragged in defence at times under Pardew. While 2016 was a turbulent year for the coach, he’s proved time and again he’s well capable of handling such a task.