- Crystal Palace are eyeing Andoni Iraola
- Bournemouth boss’ contract is up in summer
- Spaniard ‘interested’
Crystal Palace’s hopes of replacing Oliver Glasner with Andoni Iraola appeared to have faded last week. It was reported that the Spaniard was looking to either stay in charge of Bournemouth or make the move to one of Europe’s big clubs.
That saw Thomas Frank remain positioned as the frontrunner to land the Selhurst Park job. Not the most exciting of candidates, given his tumultuous spell at Tottenham Hotspur, which ended in his sack.
Iraola has continued to work wonders at the Vitality Stadium, perfectly explaining why Palace are so keen on him. He oversaw a superb 2-1 victory away at league leaders Arsenal on Saturday (April 11th).
Crystal Palace ‘Interests’ Iraola
Just when it looked as though Iraola was out of contention to replace Glasner, the South Londoners have been given a lifeline. A report from Alan Nixon claims on his Patreon that the Bournemouth boss is ‘stalling’ on a new contract with the Cherries.
Palace ‘remain keen’ and the 43-year-old is ‘interested in Palace and will speak to them about his future.’ It’s a massive twist in the tale and more positivity to add to the best week the club have experienced this season.
On Thursday, Glasner oversaw a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of the Eagles’ Europa Conference League quarter-final tie. The Austrian is looking to guide his team to European glory before ending his reign in June.
There’d be no better way for Glasner to hand the reins over to Iraola then with a European trophy. Winning the competition will surely help Steve Parish in his attempt to entice the Spaniard to take over at Selhurst Park.
Simon Grayson Expects Iraola to Leave
Iraola came in for huge praise following the win over Arsenal, and inevitably, there are many suggesting he’ll be coveted by Champions League clubs. But there’s no indication that any Premier League clubs in the top six will be eyeing him.
Manchester United look set to continue with Michael Carrick on a full-time basis. Liverpool’s hierarchy seems to still be backing Arne Slot despite their nosedive this season.
Iraola’s future was discussed by former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and ex-Preston North End manager Simon Grayson. The pair talked on Stadium Astro and Robinson asked Grayson:
“If you were Iraola and a club in the Champions League came knocking but you’d taken Bournemouth to Europe what would you do?”
Grayson responded:
“I’d be leaving. Just sometimes you can take clubs as far as you can do and you’re never really going to progress. You wanna test yourself. I do think he’ll leave in the summer. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t get big suitors in the summer.”
The interesting part of Grayson’s comment is the notion that Iraola has taken Bournemouth as far as he can. If Palace are to persuade him on the job, they must show their ambition not just to compete in mid-table but to take steps towards consistent European contention.
