Alan Smith’s Crystal Palace story stretched across 13 seasons and included two distinctly contrasting spells in charge of the club. Reflecting in his own words, Smith revisits a period that brought both major achievement and deep disappointment.
A central part of his memories is the rise that culminated in winning the second tier as Palace manager. That success marked one of the defining highs of his time at the club and underlined the progress made during his first spell in charge.
The later chapter carried a very different feeling. Smith recalls the heartbreak of relegation in 1995, another defining moment from his time leading Palace and a sharp contrast to the earlier achievement of winning the second tier.
Smith also reflects on advice from Steve Coppell, his friend and former colleague. Looking back, he acknowledges that he chose to overlook Coppell’s guidance, adding another personal element to an account shaped by success, disappointment and two separate periods at Crystal Palace.
