Alan Smith sacked by the Eagles
last updated Sunday 29th April 2001, 7:14 PM
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Alan
Smith previously of Fulham has been sacked by Crystal Palace |
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Alan Smith has been sacked as manager of Crystal
Palace in the aftermath of Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Wolves that left
the Eagles staring at life in Division Two.
Palace, who it would seem need to win both their remaining games at Stockport
and Portsmouth to stand any chance of Division One survival, have also ended
Ray Houghton's tenure as assistant boss.
Chairman Simon Jordan made the decision after a run of just two wins in
16 matches by the First Division strugglers. Chief scout Steve Kember will
now take charge of the team for the two remaining games of the season at
Portsmouth and Stockport.
Smith appeared to have turned things around at Selhurst Park following a
dreadful run in the early weeks of the season that saw them claim just two
victories in the opening 15 matches.
A sensational Worthington Cup run that accounted for holders Leicester and
Peter Reid's Sunderland was only halted at the last hurdle when eventual
winners Liverpool overturned a 2-1 semi-final first-leg deficit.
Since their cup antics, however, another slump has set in and mid-table
security was soon transformed to relegation panic.
Despite receiving verbal flak from the fans during yesterday's reverse -
there have also been calls for Jordan to reappoint Steve Coppell who was
surprisingly dumped in the summer - Smith vowed to carry on the fight against
the drop.
Asked whether he would be at the club next season if Palace were relegated,
Smith had said: "I think I will leave it at the moment that we won't
be relegated presuming we get the six points needed."
Smith, who left his role as director of youth at Fulham last summer to take
up the reins at Selhurst Park for a second time, also admitted some form
of regret at leaving Craven Cottage.
"I would be a liar if I said no. That was a job where I got incredible
job satisfaction and when you have been involved in football like I have
you like to think you are giving something back to the game.
"At the moment I seem to be giving a lot and not receiving a lot.
"But that goes with the territory. I took the decision to come here
and now I need to fulfil the job of making sure we get the six points we
need.
"The fight goes on and we will be up for it."
But it will now continue without Smith. |
Source sportinglife
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