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Julián Speroni: 'I'm working for Crystal Palace, whatever they need to be, I will be"

The 46-year-old is filling in after Dean Kiely was sacked following seven years at the club, a spell which culminated in winning the FA Cup at Wembley.

Speroni, who made 405 appearances in a 15-year spell at the club, returned to Selhurst Park in 2022 as academy goalkeeper coach before stepping up to the senior side this summer.

It remains to be seen whether he is a contender for the full-time role, but Eagles boss Oliver Glasner has said the club is in no rush to name a long-term replacement, as the Argentine is doing a “great job.”

Speroni, who helped Palace secure their trajectory-altering promotion to the Premier League in 2012-13, is enjoying his time with the senior coaching staff and is open to remaining in the role if the club wants him to.

“It’s been great,” Speroni said. “Been a few weeks of hard work in pre-season, we are getting to know each other better and I’m enjoying it.

“When I found out they needed a coach, I said: ‘Of course, I’ll do it’. I spoke to the manager, and he’s pleased.

“I’ve been so lucky to be able to work with them, gain some experience and see how they work. I’m enjoying every minute.

“We will see what happens in the future. I don’t want to jump into anything yet.

“It is different from working with the younger players. With what you do, you are focusing on their development. Now, with the first team, it’s a different kind of work.

“They’re both enjoyable. Don’t get me wrong, nothing replaces playing. I was out there at the Community Shield, and I felt like I wanted to play.

(Image: Keith Gillard) “But coaching gives you a different kind of reward, a different kind of nice feeling when you achieve what you want to achieve.

“I’m working for the club, whatever they need to be, I will be. We will see what happens.”

Speroni coaches a strong goalkeeping contingent headed by England international Dean Henderson, who saved two penalties in the shootout as Palace won the Community Shield against Liverpool on Sunday.

After Palace secured their second trophy in three months, Speroni reflected that the club’s success is the product of the trailblazing group that lifted them from administration to the Premier League via the play-offs in just three years.

“It’s amazing. It brings back so many memories of being here [at Wembley], I’m so pleased for all the lads – they deserve it.

“They played a really good game. With penalties at the end, especially with Hendo saving a few, I’m really pleased.

“We just went through the normal stuff we go through before every game. Hendo makes the decisions on the pitch.

“We have an idea, we talk about it, but in the end, it’s the players, nothing to do with us.

“He was brilliant throughout the game and in the shootout, where the goalkeeper can be key.

(Image: Keith Gillard) “It means a lot, going back a few years, you have to remember all the lads that set the foundations for where we are now.

“We can all enjoy this together. It’s a special moment for everybody: the fans, the club, the people who have been involved for so many years.

“We are seeing the rewards now for all the hard work that has been put into all of this. It’s the consequence of hard work all around, from the early days to where we are now.

“It’s a consequence; you give yourself targets, but it is the hard work that you put into achieving those targets that matters, and this is the final reward.”

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