Lawrence was manager of Charlton Athletic from 1982 to 1991

Crystal Palace have appointed Hereford technical director Lennie Lawrence as their new assistant manager.

The ex-Charlton boss, 63, will support managerial rookie Dougie Freedman, who became Palace boss this month.

"I'm looking forward to working alongside Dougie, who I have known for many years," he told the club website.

Palace co-chairman Steve Parish said: "He was Dougie's selection, someone he very much had in mind when he agreed to take the job."

He added: "I think he's the right person to work with Dougie, nurture him and point him in the right direction on things."

Lawrence has managed Charlton, Middlesbrough, Bradford, Luton, Grimsby and Cardiff.

606: DEBATE Have your say on Lawrence's appointment

But his last two roles, as Bristol Rovers director of football and at Hereford, have involved helping novice bosses.

He assisted Paul Trollope, who was 33 at the time of his appointment in 2005, at Rovers for five years until being sacked in May.

Lawrence was only appointed by Hereford last month to aid Jamie Pitman, 34, and they have won four games and drawn one of his six to move off bottom of the Football League.

Parish believes that experience will be benefit 36-year-old Freedman, who is in his first permanent managerial role.

I know he was very sorry to have to say goodbye to us Hereford chairman David Keyte

"We're really hopeful that he can give Dougie a fast track (education) and minimise the mistakes a young manager might make," he said.

Bulls chairman David Keyte said: "We've enjoyed having Lennie onboard these past few weeks but sadly he's been made an offer that he couldn't refuse and one that we couldn't get near to matching.

"The offer came right out of the blue and although he was naturally excited at the chance to join Palace I know he was very sorry to have to say goodbye to us. He's given us some great input and we wish him well."

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