Crystal Palace Women have appointed Leif Smerud as their new head coach following the departure of Laura Kaminski. Smerud, 48, has previously been interim head coach for Norway's men's and women's senior teams, as well as the head coach of the under-21 men's team. He recently guided Norway's men's under-21 side to the U21 European Championship finals in 2023. Smerud expressed his honour and pride in joining Crystal Palace, a club with a long history in football. He believes football is about more than tactics, it's about connection with values, and he thinks Crystal Palace has values that he connects with. Palace's Head of Women's Football, Grace Williams, said Smerud's experience and credentials speak for themselves, and he will be an outstanding fit for maximising the potential of the players. Crystal Palace Women have struggled in the English top flight this season, winning only one league game in 2024-25, and sit bottom of the league, four points from safety with eight games remaining. Kaminski's departure from Palace was the second in the WSL in a matter of days, following Matt Beard's exit from Liverpool. Smerud's appointment is seen as a crucial move to turn the club's season around. He will be expected to make an immediate impact, with the team facing a tough run of games. Smerud's experience in managing both men's and women's teams will be valuable in this role. The players will be looking to him for guidance and motivation as they try to climb out of the relegation zone. With Smerud at the helm, Crystal Palace Women will be hoping to turn their season around and avoid relegation.