There has been much talk of late of whether Frank De Boer is about to become ‘Frank De Goer’. It’s fair to say that he hasn’t had the best time at Crystal Palace at the start of his career in South London. After the last three league games, which have all ended in losses, rumours are already beginning to circle about the potential sacking of Frank De Boer.
Frank De Boer: How Long Does he Have Left?
The Dutch Style Doesn’t Work in the Premier League
Last season, Chelsea introduced the 3-4-3 formation under Antonio Conte and it won them the league. However, they have natural wing backs such as Marcus Alonso and they have extremely good depth and quality with some of the world’s best players in their ranks.
Ever since Palace won promotion to the Premier League, their focus has mainly been route one, counter attacking football. This has worked for the Eagles so there isn’t any need to change it like De Boer has done. Many think that De Boer’s tactics are an experiment and a project which will eventually develop and work. On the other hand, some people are counting down the days until De Boer changes his plans or is sacked.
Unsuccessful Transfer Window
Despite strengthening the defence, it still feels as though there is a lack of depth up front. Palace have just two recognised strikers in the squad, with Freddie Lapado providing cover.
At the back, Palace have brought in Jairo Riedewald, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Mamadou Sakho, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek will provide competition in midfield. These are all undoubtedly solid signings that improve the depth of the squad.
However, the level of quality in the squad hasn’t been improved at all. The players that Palace have been linked with, such as Munir and Demari Gray (who was rumoured to be part of a swap deal for Andros Townsend), all have the potential to take Palace to that class above.
Whether it is Steve Parish who doesn’t want to spend, or Frank De Boer who isn’t good at signing players, something is wrong with the transfer policy.
His Reputation Speaks for Itself
Frank De Boer is notoriously known as the manager to win four league titles in a row with Ajax. However, he is also the same manager who left Inter 12th in Serie A.
A Milan-based newspaper even went as far as to call De Boer’s time at Inter a ‘disaster’.
It’s debatable whether or not Crystal Palace are closer to Inter Milan than Ajax in terms of quality. However, the Premier League and the Eredivisie aren’t even comparable in terms of competitiveness.
As soon as De Boer was faced with some competition at Inter, he buckled under the pressure and it seems like this might be about to happen again.
Sam Allardyce was the Same
A fact that often goes unnoticed is that Sam Allardyce also had a very bad start at Palace. Of course, Allardyce kept the Eagles in the Premier League. However, he failed to win his first six games in charge.
Of course, a big point to be made here is that Sam Allardyce took charge of a struggling Palace team halfway through the season. Frank De Boer had the summer to change up the team and teach the players his style.
Regardless, this is a big indication that it is probably too soon to begin to discuss sacking De Boer.
Fans are split about Frank De Boer’s future at Palace but despite some fans’ patience and the belief of a project, he might not be the boss for much longer as rumours refuse to disappear.
In addition to that, Dougie Freedman returned to Palace to be the club’s Sporting Director recently. Could that mean that Freedman may take charge of the Eagles soon?
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
