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Palace’s history of goalkeeper-turned-managers

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo stands out from his peers in the Premier League as a former goalkeeper. Despite their leading, vocal presence on the pitch, very few shot-stoppers make the transition from the turf to the dugout.

Over Palace’s history, only three of the 49 men to have led - for any number of games - the club had at one point been a professional goalkeeper.

We’ve taken a look back at each of them.

George Irwin

Palace’s first goalkeeper-turned-manager led the club throughout the Second World War, taking charge of 45 competitive matches over an eight-year period.