Leif Smerud appointed Crystal Palace Women’s new boss | OneFootball

Ane Frosaker / SPP

Crystal Palace Women have appointed former Norway national team interim head coach Leif Smerud as their new manager.

He recently guided Norway’s men’s U-21s to only its third-ever European Championship finals in 2023 and has acted as caretaker to both the female and male Norwegian national senior teams.

Palace’s Head of Women’s Football Grace Williams told cpfc.co.uk: “It is fantastic to welcome Leif, with his range of impressive experiences at the top level of the game, to Crystal Palace Football Club.

“Leif’s experience and credentials speak for themselves and, as we head into a crucial stretch of games at the end of our Women’s Super League season, we feel he will be an outstanding fit for maximising the undoubted potential of this group of players.”

Leif Smerud commented: “I’m really honoured, I’m proud and I’m very happy to join Crystal Palace, a club with a long history in football.

“I’ve been lucky enough for 10 years to talk to players about the privilege of representing their country. I believe football is about more than tactics – it’s about a connection with some values, and I really think that Crystal Palace has values that I connect with.

“It’s a club that’s no stranger to hard work and punching above its weight. It’s an honour to connect with a club like that, and the people I’ve met in the process are also brilliant people. I really look forward to representing the club and all that it stands for.”

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