Palace boss refuses to disclose reason for Shaun Derry exit

Patrick Vieira has confirmed it was his decision to axe Shaun Derry from his role as Crystal Palace first-team coach.

Ex-Leeds and QPR midfielder Derry had been a part of Patrick Vieira’s coaching staff throughout his tenure as Palace boss.

The 45-year-old was promoted to the first-team coaching staff after he won the Premier League 2 Division 2 play-off final with the Eagles’ U23 side as manager.

Derry has had managerial spells at Notts County and Cambridge United during his coaching career.

He made 222 appearances in all competitions for the Eagles across two separate spells as a player.

Derry won the First Division play-off final with Palace in 2004 and played in the side that survived relegation from the Championship in 2010 when the club were in administration.

It was reported on Tuesday that Derry had left his role at Crystal Palace.

“That is the decision that I make,” said Vieira of Derry leaving the club.

“I can confirm that Shaun is not part of the first team coaching staff anymore.

“I don’t want to go into details, but Shaun was an important figure for the football club – he played here and he was a captain here.

“I don’t want to go more into the details, but he has been good to the football club.”

Vieira confirmed that he was not planning on bringing in a replacement for Derry.

When Derry was first appointed, Vieira said in 2021: “I really wanted to have somebody who knows the club up and down and Shaun’s been here for quite a long time as a player and as a coach,” Vieira explained.

“He knows the players from the academy as well. Nobody will talk about the club as well as Shaun, so to have him as part of my staff is something that I’m looking forward to and it’s been great to have him next to me.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD