Jay Saunders took no pleasure from Frank de Boer's Crystal Palace sacking - but couldn't resist a joke at the Dutchman's expense.

De Boer riled Maidstone fans when he pulled his first team out of July's 4,000-sell-out friendly at the Gallagher Stadium and sent his youth team instead.

Coach Richard Shaw later revealed de Boer didn't want his stars playing on United's 3G pitch.

De Boer was sacked on Monday after only four Premier League games in charge and Stones boss Saunders said: "I think if he'd have put out his first team in pre-season, against us, he'd have had better preparation and probably picked up better results, so he's only got himself to blame!

"I don't get any pleasure in seeing anyone lose their job but, like I say, I think he messed his preparation up pre-season."

On a serious note, Saunders spoke out against de Boer's dismissal, which came after losing all four games without scoring a goal.

He was brought in to change the culture at Palace after Sam Allardyce's spell in charge but barely had a chance.

Saunders said: "I'm a manager, you don't like to see anyone get the sack because it's a hard game.

"It just shows you how crazy football is now, to get the sack after four games.

"You take over a club and, from what I could gather from his backroom staff, they were told they wanted to go younger and play more football and then you give him four games."

De Boer has been succeeded by former Maidstone player Roy Hodgson.