February 8 2011

Tony Popovic

TONY POPOVIC has rejoined Crystal Palace as first team coach.

The former Australian international centre half had a five-year spell with the Eagles after signing from Japanese side Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2001.

POPOVIC, 37, was assistant manager at Sydney FC but has returned to South London where he will assist his old team mate Dougie Freedman in Palace's battle to avoid the drop.

"He has been in Sydney for three years as assistant manager so I had to be patient but he is the one I really wanted," said Freedman.

"He is a good friend of mine and we have been in constant contact since he left, doing our coaching badges together and his ideas are the same as mine.

"He knows the club and can get off and running straight away. He is a good guy and he thinks the same as me in terms of what we can achieve at this club."