Crystal Palace has officially announced the appointment of Leif Smerud as their new manager for the women's team, following the dismissal of Laura Kaminski. Smerud, a seasoned Norwegian coach, steps into a challenging role with the team currently at the bottom of the Women's Super League (WSL).

Leif Smerud’s Background and Achievements

Smerud, 48, brings a wealth of experience to the Eagles. He previously led the Norway men's Under-21 team to the 2023 European Championship finals and has served as caretaker head coach for both the Norway men's and women's senior teams. His extensive background includes nearly a decade with the Norwegian Football Federation, where he held various roles, including deputy technical director.

The Challenge Ahead

Taking over Crystal Palace, Smerud faces a daunting task. The team is currently four points adrift from safety with just eight games left in the season. Kaminski's departure came after a disappointing run of just one win in 14 matches, despite having secured the Women's Championship title last season and achieving promotion to the WSL.

In his first statement as manager, Smerud expressed his enthusiasm, saying,

"I'm really honoured, I'm proud and I'm very happy to join Crystal Palace, a club with a long history in football."

He emphasized that football is about more than just tactics, highlighting the importance of values and connection, which he believes align with those of Crystal Palace.

Smerud’s Vision for Crystal Palace

Smerud is optimistic about the club's potential, noting its history of defying expectations:

"It's a club that's no stranger to hard work and punching above its weight."

He also praised the people he has met at the club, describing them as "brilliant" and expressing his eagerness to represent the club and its values.

Support from the Club

Grace Williams, Crystal Palace's head of women's football, is confident in Smerud's ability to turn things around:

"His experience and credentials speak for themselves. As we head into a crucial stretch of games, we feel he will be an outstanding fit for maximising the undoubted potential of this group of players."

Upcoming Match

Smerud's first match in charge will be a home game against Liverpool on Sunday. Interestingly, Liverpool also parted ways with their manager, Matt Beard, this week, after a similarly challenging season.

As Crystal Palace embarks on this new chapter, all eyes will be on Smerud to see if he can steer the team to safety and build a foundation for future success in the WSL.