Crystal Palace staff profiles

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.