Leif Smerud has been appointed Crystal Palace Women head coach following the departure of Laura Kaminski.
At various times over the past 10 years, Smerud has been interim head coach for both Norway’s men’s and women’s senior teams, as well as the head coach of the under-21 men’s team.
The 48-year-old, who himself played for Norway up to under-21 level, recently guided the nation’s men’s under-21 side to only its third-ever U21 European Championship finals in 2023.
“I’m really honoured, I’m proud and I’m very happy to join Crystal Palace, a club with a long history in football,” Smerud said upon his arrival.
“I’ve been lucky enough for 10 years to talk to players about the privilege of representing their country. I believe football is about more than tactics — it’s about a connection with some values, and I really think that Crystal Palace has values that I connect with.
“It’s a club that’s no stranger to hard work and punching above its weight. It’s an honour to connect with a club like that, and the people I’ve met in the process are also brilliant people. I really look forward to representing the club and all that it stands for.”
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“Leif’s experience and credentials speak for themselves and, as we head into a crucial stretch of games at the end of our Women’s Super League season, we feel he will be an outstanding fit for maximising the undoubted potential of this group of players,” said Grace Williams, Palace’s Head of Women’s Football.
Palace have struggled in the English top flight this season, winning only a single league game in 2024-25. They sit bottom of the league, four points from safety with eight games remaining.
Kaminski’s departure from Palace on Friday was the second in the WSL in a matter of days following Matt Beard’s exit from Liverpool that was announced on Thursday.
(Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
