Dougie Freedman leaves Crystal Palace role for move to Saudi Arabia second tier

Dougie Freedman has been at Crystal Palace as a player, manager and 

most recently sporting director. Photograph: Dan Weir/Shutterstock

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18 Mar 2025 - The Guardian (USA)

Crystal Palace have confirmed that Dougie Freedman has left his role as sporting director, with the former Scotland forward expected to join a club that has just been promoted from Saudi Arabia’s third tier. 

In a surprise turn of events, Palace announced on Monday evening that Freedman would be leaving with immediate effect “to take up a role overseas”. It is understood that he is poised to become sporting director of Al Diriyah, who have been playing in Saudi Arabia’s second division but have been promoted as champions after the season finished at the weekend. Their ownership was transferred to Diriyah Company, owned by the Public Investment Fund PIF in July, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman named as chair.

Freedman who are part owned by PIF last year before being persuaded to stay at Selhurst Park by the club’s chair, Steve Parish. But despite being heavily involved in the appointment of manager Oliver Glasner last year, the 50 year old is believed to have been frustrated with having a limited budget to work with during the January transfer window at the club, where he had two spells as a player before becoming manager in 2011. That spell ended in acrimonious circumstances a year later when he joined Bolton with Palace in contention for promotion a decision he has said he has always regretted.

Iain Moody, who was Palace’s sporting director for almost a year before after it was alleged that he shared racist, sexist and homophobic texts with Malky Mackay when they worked at Cardiff City, is understood to be in the frame to replace him.

“Dougie has been instrumental in everything we have done over the past eight years and indeed had a huge impact before that as manager and, of course, as a player,” Parish said. “I have enjoyed working with him immensely and wish him every success for the future. Dougie leaves behind an excellent and well structured sporting department that I’m sure will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Freedman has been credited with scouting players such as Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton from the Championship after being appointed as sporting director in 2017.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Steve Parish, the other owners and to all the staff, managers and players who have been at the club during my time here. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed learning from and working alongside you all,” Freedman said.

“To be leaving the club with a squad full of exciting talent led by an excellent manager, I truly believe the foundations are in place to be built upon.”