Former Crystal Palace captain Jason Puncheon has rocked up in Dubai to take on a Director of Football role at Arabian Falcons – and honestly, this could be the smartest move of his post-playing career.
From Selhurst Park to the UAE Second Division
The 39-year-old, who became a cult hero at Palace during his five-year spell in South London, officially joined the club on January 17. Forget the sweltering Cyprus sun – Puncheon is now operating in the concrete jungle of Dubai, where the money might not be Premier League level, but the ambitions certainly are.
For those who've followed Puncheon's managerial journey, this represents something of a reset. His time in charge of various Cypriot clubs didn't exactly go according to plan. He was sacked after just seven matches at AEZ Zakakiou. Then came a brief 21-day stint at Ayia Napa – two games, two wins, gone. And while he guided Akritas Chlorakas to promotion to the Cypriot First Division, he had to walk away because the English FA wouldn't approve his UEFA Pro Licence application.
Brutal, that.
Reunited with former Premier League talent
What makes Arabian Falcons particularly interesting is the collection of English talent already assembled in the UAE Second Division. Puncheon will be working alongside:
- Jonjo Shelvey – the former Liverpool and Newcastle midfielder who's now captaining the side
- Ravel Morrison – remember him? The ex-Man United wonderkid who Sir Alex Ferguson once called the most talented youngster he'd ever seen
Shelvey, speaking to BBC Sport back in October, was pretty clear about why he made the switch: "I've seen a few things like 'he's gone there for money'. I'm thinking, what money? There's no money in the UAE Second Division League. The ballpark of the standard wage here is £2,000-a-month for a footballer."
He wasn't kidding. His brother earns more working in a London hotel.
The Falcons are flying
Founded only in 2023, Arabian Falcons have already made quite the impression. They stormed through the UAE Third Division in their debut season with a record of 26 wins, 3 draws, and zero defeats. Now they're competing in the second tier, managed by Harry Agombar – a 33-year-old Englishman who came through the Arsenal academy alongside Shelvey.
The club plays its home matches at the Jebel Ali Shooting Club. Yes, that's a gun range. Around 75 supporters typically show up. It's not exactly Selhurst Park on a Tuesday night, but there's something raw and authentic about this project.
A fresh chapter for a Palace legend
Palace fans will always remember Puncheon fondly. The 169 appearances. The 16 goals. That strike in the 2016 FA Cup final against Manchester United. The armband. His departure message in 2019 still hits: "Without the fans... everybody around the football club... It's a special club, it's a place that will always stay in my heart."
His family moved to Cyprus in 2019, settling in the village of Chlorakas. His youngest daughter once asked why daddy was away so often during his Huddersfield days. That question changed everything. Family came first.
Now, at 39, Puncheon seems to have found a project that matches his ambitions without the pressure of needing that Pro Licence. As Director of Football, he can shape the recruitment, work with players, and potentially build something meaningful alongside mates who've also seen both sides of the beautiful game.
Is it glamorous? Nah. Is it smart? Absolutely.
Sometimes the best moves happen when nobody's watching.