Crystal Palace have named Leif Smerud as new manager of their women’s team, following the sacking of Laura Kaminski on Friday.
Kaminski guided the Eagles to promotion from the Barclays Women’s Championship last season, but with just one win from 14 games thus far this season, the club made the “extremely difficult decision” to sack the 37-year old.
The club’s chairman, Steve Parish, commented that “Laura has given her all, on and off the pitch, and she leaves here with all of our thanks and best wishes for the future.”
Smerud, will take charge of Sunday’s WSL meeting with Liverpool, who are also without a permanent manager following the dismissal of Matt Beard on Thursday.
The Norwegian has international pedigree, winning a bronze medal with Norway Women at the 2009 UEFA Women’s Euros as an assistant coach before taking on his first permanent managerial role with Hønefoss BK in 2011.
The 48-year-old has a degree in Psychology and commented: “I believe football is about more than tactics – it’s about a connection with some values, and I really think that Crystal Palace has values that I connect with.”
“It is a club that’s no stranger to hard work and punching above its weight. It’s an honour to connect with a club like that, and the people I’ve met in the process are also brilliant people. I really look forward to representing the club and all that it stands for.”
Crystal Palace’s Head of Women’s Football, Grace Williams, added that “Leif’s experience and credentials speak for themselves and, as we head into a crucial stretch of games at the end of our Women’s Super League season, we feel he will be an outstanding fir for maximising the undoubted potential of this group of players.”