English Premier League: Crystal Palace season review – A Hodgson story to remember

In a season that started in the worst way possible, Crystal Palace managed to turn it around and meet the expectations set out in order to survive.

The appointment of Frank De Boer in the start of the season was seen with scepticism, and rightly so. After seeing his time at Inter Milan ending so abruptly, questions were raised towards the Dutchman, and what he would be able to do at Selhurst Park.

Stability has been something lacking at Crystal Palace since their return to the Premier League in the 2012/13 season. The managerial changes since then have been frequent, despite not going down.

Before the Dutchman’s short-lived rein.

Before taking over, Palace’s squad had players signed by four different managers in Tony Pulis, Neil Warnock, Alan Pardew, and Sam Allardyce. It was clear what De Boer’s pretentions were: Play fluidly, taking care of possession.

The signings of Jairo Riedewald from Ajax, Mamadou Sakho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Timothy Fosu-Mensah assured De Boer’s intentions to play a young side and develop the talent of an ageing squad.

Implementing a different style of football in a club is not easy. When the team play a total opposite style, it’s even more difficult. De Boer was unlucky and eventually got sacked after four league games, a period of time that is not enough to put a new philosophy into a team.