Crystal Palace’s recruitment manager departs to take role with UAE Football Association

BY SAM SMITH

Omar Yabroudi has left his role as Crystal Palace’s recruitment manager to take up a position with the UAE Football Association.

He will be assistant general secretary of technical affairs.

Yabroudi returned to the South Londoners from Nottingham Forest in October 2017, shortly after Dougie Freedman’s appointment as sporting director. The UAE-born talent spotter had previously been first team scout under Freedman’s management between 2010 and 2012.

There had been spells as head of recruitment at both Barnet and Forest before he was appointed as Palace’s recruitment manager.

The Eagles’ recruitment has largely been successful under Yabroudi. There was a disappointing January transfer window when Alexander Sorloth, Erdal Rakip, Jaroslaw Jach, Lucas Perri and Diego Cavalieri. Only Jach, currently on loan at Fortuna Sittard, is still on Palace’s books.

However, Yabroudi has worked on a tight budget and Palace have picked up some bargains in the last few years. He oversaw the signings of fans’ favourites Ebere Eze (£15 million from Queens Park Rangers) and Vicente Guaita (free from Getafe).

The most recent signing was the loan of Jean-Philippe Mateta from Mainz. The Frenchman was acquired on an 18-month temporary deal with conditions that could make the deal permanent.

Image: Keith Gillard