Former Crystal Palace assistant manager named boss of Wilfried Zaha’s AFC Croydon Athletic

Former Crystal Palace assistant manager Keith Millen has been named as the new boss of non-league side AFC Croydon Athletic.

The Isthmian League South East Division side are owned by Palace icon Wilfried Zaha, who is on loan with Lyon from Galatasaray, and Croydon-born rapper Stormzy.

Millen joined the Eagles as assistant manager under Ian Holloway in 2012 and had three caretaker spells at Selhurst Park.

He was also a part of Neil Warnock’s and Alan Pardew’s coaching staff during their managerial stints.

Croydon-born Millen left Palace in 2017 after Sam Allardyce was appointed as Eagles boss.

He has had coaching stints at Milton Keynes, Carlisle and Gillingham.

Former Palace players Luke Dreher, Brandon Pierrick, Nya Kirby and David Omilabu are all plying their trade with the Rams.

“I’ve worked with Wilf when we were at Crystal Palace together,” Millen said. 

“That was probably the main reason for joining. I’m a Croydon boy anyway. Crystal Palace is my team, but after that, Croydon is my area. So that got me interested.

“It fits in to where I am in my coaching and management pathway because I work now with the PFA in this region. When I took that job I said I still wanted to coach myself.

“That’s my real love. This role being part-time fits very well with my PFA work and is a great opportunity for me to work with players that I’ve worked with before.”