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LONDON. — New Crystal Palace manager Frank de Boer says he is excited to join a club that “spend a lot of money”. The 47-year-old Dutchman, who has signed a three-year deal, succeeds Sam Allardyce, who left after helping Palace avoid relegation last season. “The aim is to be a solid Premier League team, not to struggle with relegation,” said the former defender, who won 112 caps for the Netherlands.

“That is our main target — if we do more, that’s nice.”

De Boer managed Ajax from 2010 to 2016 and won the league title in four successive seasons — from 2011 to 2015.

He had been out of work since being sacked by Inter Milan in November after only 85 days in charge, though he said he learned “a lot” from his time at the San Siro.

De Boer said he had a “good feeling” about Palace and “the prospect of managing a team in the Premier League was exciting”.

“This club can grow further and further,” he said.

“They spend a lot of money and there is the possibility to do something well with that money.

“I’ve not met the players yet. We will look at one or two signings, but I think it is necessary to see all the players here first.”

American billionaires Josh Harris and David Blitzer took a large stake in the club in December 2015 and promised significant investment.

Belgium striker Christian Benteke joined Palace from Liverpool for a club-record £27 million last summer.

And the Eagles earned over £109,6 million in television and prize money after finishing 14th in the Premier League last season. — BBC Sport.