ALBION boss Chris Hughton is “very disappointed” that Frank de Boer has lost his job at Crystal Palace, just four games into the Premier League season.

The Seagulls’ arch rivals sacked their Dutch manager yesterday, only 77 days after appointing him as Sam Allardyce’s successor.

Hughton, a member of the League Managers’ Association’s executive board, told The Argus: “My only thoughts are for a fellow manager four games into the season who has lost his job, irrespective of what club it is.

“I don’t know him but he made a decision to come to England and we have to welcome that, somebody of his quality as a player and coach coming here. It’s been shortlived.

“Managers can come in and have an instant impact, but sometimes that is not the case and they need that little bit of time, to get to know the players, for them to adapt to a system.

“It doesn’t always happen instantly and that is something in the game that will never change.

“For as many managers that have a great start there are probably as many that don’t.

“I’m very disappointed to see it as a fellow manager. It just goes to show how difficult this job is.”

De Boer’s position quickly came under scrutiny due to Palace’s poor start to the season.

Chairman Steve Parish fired the 47-year-old ex-Ajax chief in the wake of Sunday’s fourth defeat and blank sheet out of four at Burnley.

Hughton said: “The reason it hasn’t surprised us is there was so much speculation beforehand.

“It’s a consequence of how the game has changed and the pressures, that somebody can lose their job four games into the season. As a manager and somebody that is involved with the LMA, it’s not something that you want to see. It just makes it even harder for managers.”

Former England boss Roy Hodgson is expected to take charge of Palace, who visit the Amex at the end of November.