Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has highlighted the work of sporting director Dougie Freedman and his scouting team.
Vieira has revealed the Palace setup that has helped him enjoy a successful first season at Selhurst Park, including a strong relationship with Freedman.
“The support of the Chairman and Dougie is massively important," he said in his pre-match press conference before tonight's game against Leeds United. “There is really good communication through the football club that allows me to express myself as a manager.
“The success is about the players performing at the level we know they can do. We have a good platform to allow them to express themselves.
“This is one of the strengths of the football club: the Sporting Director who played at a high level, who understands the game, who understands the club and understands the demands of the fans."
Vieira says that he and the recruitment staff enjoy a strong relationship, which helped him bring in talented young players like Marc Guéhi, Conor Gallagher and Michael Olise last summer.
“The scouting people that [Dougie] has around him, it has been a good success because of the players we bring in," Vieira explained. “Not just on the field but off the field as well, they are really matching with the football club and that has been a success.
“It's just about understanding the need and identifying the profile that we need, [and then] the scouting department finding those players and trying to make it happen.
“It's not easy – it takes a lot of time, energy and hard work. It's important for us, as the technical department, to notify the profile that we want and how we play the game."
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