Crystal Palace will have Oliver Glasner for two more games at the club, with the Austrian set to leave. Among the candidates identified by the club, Andoni Iraola remains the favourite, as Sebastian Virdal states that Palace are now confident of winning the race for the Bournemouth boss.
Crystal Palace and Bournemouth are in similar situations regarding their managerial setups, as Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are both set to leave their respective roles in the summer. The only difference is that the Cherries have already lined up Marco Rose to replace Iraola, who is now viewed by the Eagles as their top target.
Iraola had been delaying a decision on his next club, and rightly so, given the widespread interest in his services. Crystal Palace have been keen ever since the Spaniard announced his decision to leave, and they are now growing increasingly confident about appointing the Bournemouth manager in the summer.
Iraola was a top name on Manchester United and Chelsea’s managerial shortlist only a few weeks ago, but things have changed on that front. The Red Devils are sticking with Michael Carrick, handing him a two-year deal as their permanent manager, while Chelsea have secured the signature of Xabi Alonso to succeed Liam Rosenior.
With his options narrowing, especially among the top half of the Premier League table, Palace could represent a strong step up from Bournemouth. The Eagles are optimistic about landing Iraola, as developments elsewhere have significantly boosted their confidence.
Palace could hardly find a better managerial option than Iraola in the current market, and should they manage to bring in the Spaniard, it would be seen as a major coup. There are reasons for the Bournemouth boss to accept or reject the role, but Palace arguably represent a bigger opportunity than the Cherries.
Overall, Iraola is an excellent choice for the Eagles to replace Glasner. The Austrian could potentially hand over the reins after guiding the club into Europa League football at Selhurst Park. While Iraola may have been aiming for Champions League football elsewhere, the prospect of European competition, combined with a progressive London club, should be an attractive next step in his career.
