39 Facts About Dougie Freedman

Douglas Alan Freedman was born on 25 May 1974 and is a Scottish professional football manager and former player.

Dougie Freedman is the current sporting director of Crystal Palace.

Dougie Freedman played as a striker, primarily for Crystal Palace and had spells as a player at Queens Park Rangers, Barnet, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Southend United.

Dougie Freedman had two caps for the Scottish national football team where he scored one goal in a 2002 World Cup qualifier against Latvia.

Dougie Freedman started his managerial career with Crystal Palace in 2011.

Dougie Freedman moved to fellow Championship club Bolton Wanderers in 2012, but left this position in October 2014.

Dougie Freedman became manager of Nottingham Forest in February 2015, with whom he parted company in March 2016.

Dougie Freedman began his career with top flight Queens Park Rangers in 1992, but never made their first team.

Dougie Freedman moved to Third Division Barnet on a free transfer in July 1994, aged 20.

Dougie Freedman made his league debut in August 1994 and quickly became the club's leading player as he struck 24 goals in his debut season.

Dougie Freedman then scored crucial goals in the 89th and 90th minutes of their Play Off semi-final tie with Wolves after coming off the bench with 17 minutes left.

Dougie Freedman was the team's top goalscorer with 13 in total in a season that saw Wolves fail to mount a serious promotion challenge.

Dougie Freedman made a total of 81 appearances, and scoring 23 goals, before being sold to Crystal Palace in October 2000.

Dougie Freedman rejoined the club during a relegation threatened campaign, but one which ended with perhaps his most famous goal for the club.

Dougie Freedman then scored the vital goal that kept Palace in the division and relegated Huddersfield Town.

Dougie Freedman scored during the penalty shootout victory at Sunderland in the semi-finals to help the club to the final.

Dougie Freedman was an unused substitute in the final though, which saw the club beat West Ham, the second time he had been promoted with the club.

Dougie Freedman managed to stay in the line-up after Johnson's return, having made a great impression on Palace boss Iain Dowie, who, later, made a public call to Scotland boss Walter Smith for the striker to be given another chance in the national side.

Dougie Freedman ended the season with six league goals, as the club comfortably reached the play-offs.

Dougie Freedman is held in high regard by the Leeds United's supporters despite a short spell at the club; his impact in helping the team to the playoff final and his impressive interviews during his time at Leeds are remembered.

Dougie Freedman was heavily linked with a permanent move to Leeds, however this never materialised.

In March 2010, Dougie Freedman had his contract at Southend terminated by mutual consent to rejoin Palace as part of the coaching staff, signalling the end of his playing career.

Dougie Freedman played for the Scotland under-21 team in the mid-1990s.

Dougie Freedman made his Scotland debut on 6 October 2001, in a 2002 World Cup qualifying match against Latvia at Hampden Park.

Dougie Freedman's coaching career began when he was appointed as the reserve team manager of Crystal Palace in November 2005.

Dougie Freedman was in this role alongside his playing duties for the club's first team.

When George Burley was appointed as Palace's new manager to succeed Hart, Dougie Freedman was retained to act as his assistant manager.

Burley was dismissed on 1 January 2011, resulting in Dougie Freedman being appointed caretaker manager.

Palace's first-choice to replace Burley was AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, though he was appointed as manager at Burnley, with Dougie Freedman being made permanent manager of Palace, signing a two-and-a-half-year deal.

Dougie Freedman quickly moved to bring in Lennie Lawrence as his assistant and former Palace teammate Tony Popovic as first team coach.

Dougie Freedman was ultimately successful in guiding Crystal Palace out of the relegation zone, with the club achieving safety with a game to spare.

Dougie Freedman's first signing as Bolton manager was that of Norwich City midfielder Jacob Butterfield on a month-long loan.

Dougie Freedman went on to lead Bolton Wanderers to five wins in a row for the first time since 2006 in the late push for promotion, taking the club from 20th to 7th position in the Championship.

Dougie Freedman left the club on 3 October 2014 by mutual consent.

On 1 February 2015, Dougie Freedman was appointed as manager of Nottingham Forest, following the sacking of Stuart Pearce.

However, following wins against Reading, Fulham and MK Dons, plus away draws against Wolves and Blackburn in November and December 2015, Dougie Freedman's position stabilised, even more so when Clough was appointed manager of Burton Albion in December.

In spite of having a number of key players injured and Forest being severely restricted because of a transfer embargo, Dougie Freedman went on to lead Forest to a 13-game unbeaten run.

On 21 August 2017, Dougie Freedman returned to Crystal Palace as sporting director.

Dougie Freedman secured the loan signing of Conor Gallagher from Chelsea as well as permanent deals for centre-back Marc Guehi and winger Michael Olise.