Crystal Palace are on the lookout for an Oliver Glasner replacement ahead of the Austrian’s departure in June. The FA Cup-winning coach will call time on a nearly two-and-a-half-year reign at Selhurst Park.
Several names have already been linked with the job, including those with Premier League experience. The likes of former Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank and Coventry City’s Frank Lampard are reportedly on Steve Parish’s radar.
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is another candidate, and the Spaniard’s stock is continuing to grow. He has overseen an impressive transformation of the Cherries and worked wonders under a tight budget and losing key men.
Palace-linked Iraola set for contract talks
Iraola’s contract expires at the end of the season, and it’s not only Palace who are admirers. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur’s chiefs have reportedly held internal discussions over the 43-year-old.
That’s according to Mark Douglas of The i Paper, who reports that Palace’s interest is “perhaps the biggest threat.” As such, Bournemouth are keen to reopen contract talks during the upcoming international break.
Iraola has been in charge at the Vitality Stadium since July 2023, when he replaced Gary O’Neil. This was viewed as a bold appointment and a harsh dismissal, given the latter led the South Coast outfit to a 15th-placed finish in the 2022-23 campaign.
| Andoni Iraola (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Games managed: | 31 |
| Wins: | 9 |
| Draws: | 13 |
| Defeats: | 7 |
| Points: | 40 |
| Points per match: | 1.38 |
| Goals for: | 44 |
| Goals against: | 46 |
The Spanish tactician has been a success with the Cherries, leading them to a 12th-placed finish in 2023-24 and a ninth-placed finish last season. Some believe he is one of Europe’s most exciting young coaches who will eventually be managing in the Champions League.
A difficult appointment
Iraola is undoubtedly an excellent manager with the tools to succeed at Selhurst Park. He will have a larger budget to work with, and there are similarities between the structures of both Bournemouth and Palace.
That said, if United or Spurs, should they stay up, were to move for the Spaniard, it would be extremely difficult for Parish to convince him to choose the Eagles. The chance to challenge himself at a Big Six club could prove too tempting.
Palace might enter a new era under a new manager as Europa Conference League winners if they can end Glasner’s reign with another major trophy. That might help entice Iraola to replace the Austrian, as his new team could be competing in the Europa League.
Bournemouth are under pressure to sort out his future as his contract’s expiration date draws closer. He seems happy with life at the Vitality despite star players constantly leaving the club.
