Dougie Freedman among best young managers

Dougie Freedman's reign as Crystal Palace manager has seen the Scot experience all possible results three times. He has won three games, one as caretaker boss, drawn three and lost three, two of which were away at Coventry City in the League and FA Cup.

There is no doubt that Freedman was going to be a popular manager at Selhurst Park but some did question his ability as a manager when he took over. In my opinion he will grow to become one of the best young managers in the football league.

So why not have a look at some of the other young managers that have done well and also those that have struggled in the Football League?

1.) Karl Robinson (MK Dons): Robinson is currently the youngest manager in the football league, aged just 30-years-old, and is perhaps Freedman's closest rival. He has spent most of his playing career in the non-leagues but took over at the Dons following the resignation of Paul Ince and has made a modest start to the 2010/2011 campaign with his side currently lying in 12th place. He is also the youngest manager to acquire a UEFA pro license when he was 29-years-old.

2.) Paul Ince (Notts County): The former Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan midfielder despite being just 43-years-old has already managed four different clubs. His

management career began where his playing one ended; Macclesfield Town. After signing as player-manager two days after his 39th birthday injury forced him to fully concentrate on football management. He successfully secured Macclesfield's safety after joining the Silkmen when they were nine points adrift of their nearest rivals at the foot of League Two.

Ince then moved to MK Dons in June 2007 where his guidance saw them crowned champions of League Two as well as lift the Jonstone's Paint Trophy. Ince was seriously considered as the one of the best young English manager's out there and after rumours of Premier League interest he quickly moved onto manage Blackburn Rovers. Perhaps the move was too quick as he struggled and was ultimately sacked in December 2008 after only being appointed in June of the same year. He made a swift return to MK Dons for the start of the 2009/10 season but only lasted a year before joining current club Notts County in October 2010.

3.) Chris Brass: The 35-year-old is an example of someone that hasn't made the transition from player to coach at the same club very well. As a player Brass spent the majority of his career at Burnley (134 apps) and York City (152 apps). It was at York where he was in-trusted with the duty of management after being installed as player-manager in May 2003. Despite starting the campaign well the Minstermen lost their final 20 league games and were subsequently relegated to the Conference - hardly the ideal start for an aspiring young manager. He is now assistant manager at Bury.

4.) Aidy Boothroyd (Coventry City): After spells as youth coach and reserve team coach

elsewhere Boothroyd was appointed manager of Watford when he was just 34-years-old. He became one of the most respected

young managers after he guided Watford to safety and then re-established the Hornets as a Premier League team in that dreadful 3-0 home defeat at Selhurst Park in the first leg of the play-offs. Despite finishing bottom of the Premier League the next season they reached the FA Cup semi-final. Following relegation and failure to secure an immediate return to the top flight Boothroyd left by mutual consent. He went on to manager Colchester before being appointed as Coventry boss last May replacing former Eagle Chris Coleman and has so far been a thorn in Freedman's quest for management glory.

5.) Paul Dickov (Oldham Athletic): The former Manchester City forward has taken to management well since he took charge at Oldham as player manager. The 38-year-old has made some controversial decisions during his short tenur at the Lancashire club including letting go player of the year and club captain Sean Gregan as well as top goalscorer Pawel Abbott. Dickov seems to have been a big hit with the Latics fans and it looks as

though he is making the transition into management from a player with ease.

6. (With a twist) Michael Knighton (Carlisle United): The former Machester United and Carlisle chairman decided to take charge of the Blue Army himself in 1997 when he was 46-years-old and sacked popular manager Mervyn Day who had just guided Carlisle to promotion into Division Two. Unsurprisingly he failed and Carlisle were relegated to Division Three and Knighton who once claimed to have seen a UFO later stepped down and the fans formed the 'United Trust' against his ownership. He eventually left the club in 2002.

This is just a list of some others you could include: Eddie Howe (Burnley), Keith Hill (Rochdale), Simon Grayson (Leeds United) and Nigel Pearson (Hull City).

Missed anyone you think is among the best young managers around?