FORMER Bolton Wanderers boss Dougie Freedman is to leave his position as Crystal Palace’s sporting director and has been tipped to take a job in Saudi Arabia.
The Scot, who managed the Whites 101 times between October 2013 and October 2014, has received widespread praise for the job he has done at Selhurst Park.
Over the last eight years he has helped recruit international players like Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton and Dean Henderson, and firmly established Palace as a Premier League side.
The club formally announced his departure on Monday and it is now believed he will take up a role at Saudi club Al-Diriyah, who have just been promoted from the third division and recently had their ownership transferred to the Diriyah Company, owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman named as chair.
"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," Freedman said on the club’s official channels. "I've thoroughly enjoyed learning from and working alongside you all.
"It's been an honour to represent the club and I am incredibly proud of the work that's been done, with the Chairman's support, in growing the football club into its current position. 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.
"Finally, a huge thank you to all the fans for your continued support and passion -- especially with how you've helped new signings and academy products settle into life at Selhurst Park by supporting and getting behind the team. Crystal Palace is and will always remain in my heart, and I will continue to look for results and follow the club's progress closely."
Freedman had two spells as a player at Palace and had also managed the club to the top of the Championship before replacing Owen Coyle at Bolton – who were then recently relegated from the Premier League.
He nearly guided the Whites to the play-offs in his first season, missing out on the final day by failing to beat Blackpool at home, and with financial cut-backs coming into effect, he failed to lift the club above mid-table thereafter.
Another difficult spell as manager of Nottingham Forest followed but his return to Palace coincided with another successful spell for the club.
"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," Palace chairman Steve Parrish 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."
