CRYSTAL PALACE FIRE VIEIRA AFTER 18 MONTHS IN CHARGE

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Crystal Palace have sacked head coach Patrick Vieira after 18 months in charge.

The decision comes after a dismal run of form for the Eagles in 2023, who have failed to win any of their 12 matches since the start of the new year.

The string of results have left Palace in 12th place in the Premier League table – though they remain just three points above 18th-placed Bournemouth.

A statement from club chairman Steve Parish on the club website said the club were grateful to Vieira for his work at Selhurst Park but that they had made the decision to preserve their top flight status.

‘It is with enormous regret that this difficult decision has been made,’ he said.

‘Ultimately, results in recent months have placed us in a precarious league position and we felt a change is necessary to give us the best chance of retaining Premier League status.

‘That said, Patrick’s impact since joining us in the summer of 2021 has been significant, and he is held in the highest regard by myself, and all of his colleagues.

‘He led the team to a Wembley FA Cup semi-final and respectable 12th placed finish last season playing some exciting football, which was a challenging and crucial campaign for the club given the changes we made to the squad prior to his arrival.

‘Patrick has given his all to the club, and we all thank him and his team for their service.’

The club also confirmed that Vieira’s coaching staff, Osian Roberts, Kristian Wilson and Said Aigoun, had also left the club.