With Oliver Glasner on his way out of Selhurst Park this summer, Palace officials are on the lookout for a new manager to take the reins for next season. One of those emerging candidates is Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The Daily Telegraph revealed in a shocking exclusive that Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is a target for the Crystal Palace board to be the new boss at Selhurst Park.
Oliver Glasner will depart the Eagles this summer after two hugely succesful seasons and chasing a third one in the Conference League this year.
And with the advantage of knowing that the Austrian is departing Selhurst Park this early, it allows Palace to draw up a shortlist of who is next to stand in the dugout.
Having won the FA Cup and the Community Shield in recent times, and chasing a third trophy in the form of the Conference League this year, whoever takes on the role will have big boots to fill.
Andoni Iraola is a manager in demand. Image Credit: ReutersIraola could be that man, with the 43-year-old doing an impressive job at the Vitality Stadium, despite what seems a constant turnover with Antoine Semenyo, Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi all leaving to join Europe’s elite.
With Palace in a similar position having lost Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi in the last two years, it is easy to see why Iraola is a target.
In the Telegraph article, it suggests that Iraola could be lured by the prospect of another “project” rather than making the step up to one of the “big six” where results will be expected immediately.
It reads: “Iraola is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the Premier League after his work at Bournemouth and is understood to be regarded as a potential candidate at Selhurst Park in what would be a highly ambitious move.
“While Iraola has played his cards close to his chest concerning his future, he could be tempted by another football “project” of building a team rather than one of the Premier League heavyweights, where results are demanded immediately in multiple competitions.”
Oliver Glasner is departing Selhurst Park this summer. Image Credit: ReutersIraola is out of contract this summer and there have not been any rumours or links with any other club until this one.
His former club, Athletic Bilbao, for whom Iraola played 510 matches for, scoring 38 goals, are searching for their new manager following Ernesto Valverde’s imminent departure.
That appears to be a job that suits Iraola, but there are no official links, and it’s unclear whether he is in the running at this stage.
Should Palace do the business and secure his services, it would be one hell of a coup and maybe Eagles fans can look ahead at the future with hope and excitement.