Crystal Palace: Dougie Freedman to reject Newcastle approach in huge boost to Eagles | OneFootball

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Crystal Palace sporting director Dougie Freedman will snub interest from Newcastle to stay with the Eagles.

Newcastle had been keen on hiring Freedman to replace Dan Ashworth, who in February was placed on gardening leave after requesting his release.

Manchester United want to bring Ashworth in as part of their new setup under Sir Jim Ratcliffe, but must agree compensation with Newcastle.

The Magpies must now look elsewhere for Ashworth’s replacement as Freedman is staying put at Palace.

The Scot, who has been the club’s sporting director since 2017 after previously playing for and managing them, is understood to be excited about Palace’s future and prospects.

Freedman has impressed in his role as sporting director, completing deals for the likes of Adam Wharton, Dean Henderson, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi - who were all named in England’s training squad for Euro 2024 earlier this week.

Palace had been desperate for him to stay as the club is determined to kick on this summer after a fine end to the season under new manager Oliver Glasner.

The Eagles ended the campaign as one of the Premier League’s form teams, finishing in the top half of the table for only the second time in their history.

Freedman had a key role in the appointment of Glasner and has mended his relationship with chairman Steve Parish after leaving the club in 2012 to become manager of Bolton.

Freedman returned in 2017 to become Palace’s sporting director and Parish has described him as the best hire he has made in football.

“He taught me so much, so quickly, about the game when I came into it,” Parish told the High Performance Podcast last summer. “I was so fortunate.”