Freedman handed Palace reins
Crystal Palace have appointed Dougie Freedman as their new manager.
The Eagles missed out on their number one target on Tuesday afternoon when Eddie Howe opted to stay at Bournemouth.
Chairman Steve Parish has therefore turned to Freedman, the ex-Palace striker who was appointed caretaker after George Burley's sacking on New Year's Day.
The 36-year-old, who scored 106 goals in two spells as a player at Selhurst Park, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract.
"I would like to thank the owners of the club for giving me this opportunity and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead," Freedman told Palace's official website.
"I will now look at both the playing squad and my own staff which hopefully we will add to sooner rather than later."
Palace are third from bottom in the npower Championship after Freedman oversaw a 1-0 win over Preston in his first game in charge, although they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Coventry on Saturday.
