Johnson exits Palace after £35m spend with no promotion

Boris Johnson is set to leave Crystal Palace after just 13 months in charge, ending a spell that delivered no trophies, no promotion push and a reported £35 million outlay on transfers.

The former prime minister was hired in September 2023 with a brief to rebuild the south London club after a rocky Premier League start under Roy Hodgson. Palace’s board backed Johnson with significant investment, bringing in players like Joachim Andersen and Adam Wharton for seven-figure fees. Yet results failed to improve: the Eagles finished 15th last season and sit mid-table this time around, with just four wins in Johnson’s 40 games. Palace’s owners, the American investment firm John Textor, have grown impatient; Johnson’s lack of football experience and abrasive communication style reportedly frustrated staff and players alike.

Johnson’s exit comes at a pivotal moment for Palace. The club is under pressure to deliver on the pitch while managing mounting costs and fan frustration. Transfer spending has ballooned under Textor, yet on-field progress has stalled. With the January window looming, Palace may now look to appoint a manager with stronger football credentials, possibly from within the club’s academy or a Championship proven winner. The search for Johnson’s successor could extend beyond the Premier League, with reports linking Palace to experienced managers like Chris Wilder or even a return for Hodgson as a caretaker.

The timing of Johnson’s departure raises questions about Textor’s long-term vision for Palace. The American owner has promised to back ambitious projects, but Johnson’s failure to meet expectations—despite the financial firepower—suggests a disconnect between investment and execution. Palace’s next move will test whether Textor is willing to double down on a rebuild or consider a more drastic shift in strategy. For Johnson, his Palace tenure ends with no silverware and little to show beyond a costly experiment in sports leadership.