It's impossible to judge. If Freedman sold Eze for 100 million and improved the team before leaving you could argue that he would be be the bigger loss

I think I am naive but I will say this anyway.

He left once with disastrous consequences. In interview, he actually cried real tears over his regrets. The grass is seldom greener.

He moved while playing but players are itinerate, directors should have greater permanence.

I feel Palace is his home. He and his family must be well settled. He is treated as royalty. He is part of the history, culture and fabric of the club. More so than anyone.

He and Parrish have slowly, sustainably and prudently built the club from the ashes over many years. We have seen, with envy and a degree of bitterness in one case, other clubs rise at a faster rate and pass us on the ladder. However, I think we are finally at the point that he and the club have worked so hard for where the current coaching team, playing staff and academy will take us to the next level and in a sustainable way.

Would he really leave now or, indeed, ever before he sees the fruits of what he helped to build?[/quote]

It basically depends on what his motivation is. Is it money? Then he'd probably go. Is it being part of a successful programme? Then it depends how he sees the current situation at Palace and whether it's sustainable. If, as est1905 has said, he's benefiting from some sources who have drawn some of our success stories to his attention then he may feel it better to stay.

As they say time will tell.

One final point - again, as est1905 has said, whilst the loss of Eze and Olise would have an immediate impact, that of Freedman wouldn't impact immediately and ultimately may not impact at all if we brought in a good level DoF.

Edited by doombear (26 Apr 2024 6.39pm)

I don’t think Dougie has ever had the credit he deserves. For me, he is the person that made all of this happen. He was the one that pieced together a team of nobodies together to help gain promotion in 12/13. Yes he made a mistake and left but he put the blocks in place. Inspired signings back then, Bolasie, Jedinak, Delaney, Murray amongst many more. He continues to do this until this day. A brilliant servant to the club.

Front runner according to another article.

This could be very bad. Unless...

...he has left in place a successor and established network who will simply carry on where he left off.

In addition to bringing in a hefty compo package. Money no object apparently.

He will now be fishing from a different pond so unlikely to run up against us as competition.