Crystal Palace staff profiles
Written by Simon Austin — April 3, 2018
Pen pics of Crystal Palace's coaching, science, medicine and analytics staff. To see staff profiles for other clubs, click HERE.
SPORTING DIRECTOR
SPORTING DIRECTOR
DOUGIE FREEDMAN
Nationality: Scottish
Made 237 appearances for the Eagles as a player between 2000 and 2008. Was also their manager in 2011/12 and assistant manager. Appointed in August 2017 to work on "all footballing aspects of the club," according to owner Steve Parish.
COACHING
MANAGER
PATRICK VIEIRA
Nationality: French
Legendary player who won three Premier League titles and four FA Cups for Arsenal and the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 with France. His coaching career began with Manchester City, where he managed their Elite Development Squad (after two years as Football Development Executive) and then took him to their sister side New York City in the MLS. Took over Ligue 1 side Nice in June 2018, but was sacked in December 2020 after a run of five straight defeats.
ASSISTANT
OSIAN ROBERTS
Nationality: Welsh
Was Technical Director for the Welsh FA for 12 years, which is how he knows Vieira (the Frenchman did his A Licence and Pro Licence with them). Worked for the Moroccan Football Federation for two years before joining Palace in August 2021.
FIRST-TEAM COACH
KRISTIAN WILSON
Nationality: English
Was a skills coach at Sheffield United, where he worked with the likes of Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire. First worked with Vieira at Manchester City, where he was Head of Technical Performance from 2008 to 2015. Followed the Frenchman to New York City and then Nice as Performance Specialist.
DEVELOPMENT COACH
SAID AIGOUN
Nationality: French
Interesting background. Started as a youth coach at the age of 16 before joining Ligue 2 side Paris FC. Progressed to Auxerre, where he worked as a coach in the Academy and as an analyst with the first team, and then PSG, where he was an Academy coach from 2014 to 2019. Also works as a consultant for French TV and has known compatriot Vieira for several years.
GOALKEEPER COACH
DEAN KIELY
Nationality: Irish
Appointed in January 2018. Was Hodgson's goalkeeping coach at West Brom in 2011/12. Made 664 appearances for six clubs during a 21-year playing career.
FIRST-TEAM COACH
Shaun Derry
Nationality: English
Played 226 games in two separate spells for Crystal Palace. Was U23s lead for two years, leading them into Premier League 2 Division 1, before being appointed to his current role in August 2021.
PERFORMANCE
HEAD OF SPORT SCIENCE
MICHAEL EGLON
Nationality: English
Joined in 2016 as U21 sports science intern. Promoted to first-team S&C coach in July 2018 following departure of Alessandro Schoenmaker. Took on current role in September 2021.
GPS ANALYST
Cedric Leduc
Nationality: French
Worked for PSG as a Performance Scientist before joining Leeds Beckett University in October 2017. Has been with the Eagles since the start of 2022.
HEAD STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
Jamie Goldsmith
Nationality: English
Joined in December 2018 from Notts County. Promoted to Head of S&C at the start of 2022.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
Frazer Findlay
Nationality: English
Previously worked for Liverpool. Joined Palace in December 2019 and is also a sport scientist for Wales.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COACH
BEN SMALLEY
Nationality: English
Joined in January 2022 from QPR B team.
MEDICAL
HEAD OF SPORTS MEDICINE
ZAF IQBAL
Nationality: English
A well-known figure in football, having been first-team doctor at Liverpool (2010-2015), Tottenham (2008-2010) and Leyton Orient (2005-2007). Joined Palace in July 2015.
HEAD PHYSIO
JAMES HAYCOCK
Nationality: English
Another very experienced practitioner, having been Head of Medical at Hartlepool and Huddersfield and first-team physio at Arsenal for three years. Joined from Newcastle United in February 2022 and also works for the Wales national team.
PHYSIO
OLLIE WAITE
Nationality: English
Joined from Blackburn Rovers, where he was assistant first-teams physio, in August 2020. Had previously worked with Ireland Rugby League and the Huddersfield Giants.
PHYSIO
NICK TAYLOR
Nationality: English
Joined from Fulham in February 2020. Has also worked on Soccer Aid as a physio since June 2018.
REHAB COACH
HARRY BEARMAN
Nationality: English
Worked for Millwall and Charlton before joining Palace in September 2019.
HEAD SOFT TISSUE THERAPIST
Ian Evans
Nationality: English
With Palace since January 2013. Previously worked with Sussex County Cricket.
SOFT TISSUE THERAPIST
Mark Vine
Nationality: English
Has worked for the Eagles since August 2017.
ANALYSTS
HEAD OF PERFORMANCE AND RECRUITMENT ANALYSIS
BEN STEVENS
Nationality: English
Held the same role at Newcastle United before being recruited by the Eagles in 2015.
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Thomas Johnson
Nationality: English
Promoted from Head of Academy Performance Analysis to first team in April 2019. Joined club in July 2017 from Derby.
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Kieran Dowler
Nationality: English
Joined in July 2021 from Tottenham, where he had worked full-time for a year.
