Frank de Boer keen to put his stamp on Crystal Palace

Frank de Boer revealed plans to implement a more expansive brand of football following his appointment as Crystal Palace manager on a three-year contract.

The 47-year-old succeeds Sam Allardyce following his resignation at the end of last season, and has already spoken to former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal about the Premier League.

Palace have struggled against relegation during the past two seasons, and to that end De Boer has also targeted improving their poor form at Selhurst Park.

De Boer’s arrival at Palace comes after a period of pragmatism under Allardyce, who replaced the struggling Alan Pardew, and he said: “I already spoke with Van Gaal, a very informal talk.

“Van Gaal is always very good to me and we always have contact and he was the first one to contact me with this new job in this exciting football world. He gave some good tips but that is for me.

“You have to be realistic and see what the quality of the team is and sometimes you have to play more reactive football than trying to be more dominant.

“Of course I want to be dominant if we can and if not we have to be compact. The quality up front is quite high so every team now has to play one, two or three systems and also different styles and we have enough time to teach them.

“I will give youth the opportunity when they are good enough and I’m interested to see how talented the players are.

“It is very important to start well. It is crucial for the whole period of the season. We don’t want to struggle with relegation so home games are important.

“I have heard in not so good times the fans are supporting the club, so I’m looking forward to sitting on the bench and hearing them shouting for us.”

De Boer was in contention to join Everton 12 months ago until Ronald Koeman’s appointment, having previously interested both Liverpool and Tottenham.

He added: “I was quite close (to Everton) and it depended on Ronald Koeman at that time. First he didn’t want to go and in the end he did. Maybe I was the second pick, but he is doing well.

“I need to see the players (at Palace). Of course I have my ideas and one or two signings that might be necessary, but first I want to see the players.”