Freedman to leave Palace and considering Saudi role

Dougie Freedman, the club’s sporting director, is considering leaving and working for the Crystal Palace.

Freedman, 50, has played for Palace since 2017 and has managed for him.

He was in charge of securing players like Dean Henderson, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton, and Michael Olise.

According to sources close to the investigation, Freedman has been offered the position of head of sport at Al-Diriyah, which plays in the Saudi second division.

He would influence the performance philosophy of up to seven other sports under the Diriyah Company’s umbrella, which is thought to be a multi-discipline one.

Freedman’s official acceptance of the position is not confirmed.

Saudi Arabia has been in contact with the former Scotland striker for at least a month, but the trend has gotten worse over the past week. Before departing, he is anticipated to continue working with Palace on a consulting basis.

He spoke with Newcastle last season and twice with Manchester United.

Iain Moody, who has a consulting relationship with Palace’s recruitment team, will take a more prominent position at the club, but as things stand, he won’t directly succeed Freedman.

Freedman was “instrumental in everything we have done over the past eight years,” according to Palace chairman Steve Parish.