Exciting Update on Crystal Palace Interest in Andoni Iraola

• Crystal Palace on lookout for Glasner replacement
• Andoni Iraola is on the club’s radar
• Bournemouth boss’ contract expires this summer

Crystal Palace are set to enter a new era this summer when Oliver Glasner departs following the expiration of his contract. The Austrian will leave Selhurst Park as the club’s most successful manager in history.

The Eagles board have a huge task in finding the right successor to Glasner, who oversaw the famous FA Cup triumph last season. Do they turn to an up-and-coming coach or a proven tactician with Premier League experience?

Several names have been linked with Palace since Glasner announced his decision to end his tenure. The most intriguing is Andoni Iraola, who could be available should he also allow his contract to expire this summer.

Is it Iraola?

An update from Matt Woosnam of The Athletic over Palace’s interest in Iraola has all but confirmed the Spaniard is one of, if not the, frontrunner. He explains the situation:

“One of Palace’s targets is Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola. He has caught the eye with the impressive job he’s done in three seasons on the south coast and fits Palace’s criteria. He is also on course to be out of contract in the summer, so his appointment would require no compensation to be paid to Bournemouth.”

Iraola has worked wonders since arriving at the Vitality Stadium back in July 2023. He’s watched several high-profile players depart but somehow managed to steer the Cherries further up the table.

Woosnam added:

“Whether Palace will be able to convince him to succeed Oliver Glasner may depend on what offers he receives from elsewhere — Iraola’s excellent body of work hasn’t only been noticed in south London — but winning the Conference League and so being able to dangle the carrot of a Europa League challenge next season could go some way to persuading him.”

🚨🇪🇸 Andoni Iraola: “My future? I will make a decision on the contract here at Bournemouth sooner than later”. 👀 pic.twitter.com/BXifYXPkCA

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 13, 2026

Iraola is in demand and was linked with Tottenham Hotspur before the Lilywhites turned to Roberto De Zerbi on a lucrative five-year contract this week. The Spanish coach has also been talked up for the Manchester United job but it looks increasingly likely that Michael Carrick will be kept on.

This only aids Palace’s ambitious bid to potentially appoint Iraola as Glasner’s replacement. But staying at Bournemouth can’t be ruled out nor can moving abroad.

Who Else?

Palace don’t appear keen on paying compensation to a manager, which is why Iraola’s contract situation is of interest. Woosnam noted that the only time the Eagles have paid a club for a coach came in 2014-15 when they brought Alan Pardew to Selhurst Park from Newcastle United.

If it’s not Iraola, then Thomas Frank’s availability makes him another attractive option. The Dane is out of management after he was sacked by Tottenham earlier this year.

Woosnam said:

“There would also be sense in considering former Brentford and Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank, who is available after being sacked by the latter in February after just eight months in the job.”

Frank’s failures at Spurs might be a concern, but they are deep-rooted issues at the North London club, and Igor Tudor’s disastrous interim spell speaks volumes. The Palace board might be prepared to look past this and acknowledge his success while in charge of Brentford.

The 52-year-old took the Bees to the top-flight for the first time since the 1946-47 season. He continuously improved the west Londoners and did so while losing star players such as Ivan Toney and Said Benrahma.