- McKenna added to Palace’s managerial shortlist
- Ipswich boss will demand high compensation fee
- Palace’s end to the season will determine their next boss
As Crystal Palace continue their hunt for a new manager, Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna has been added to the shortlist of managers which is reportedly as many as six long.
The Independent have reported that McKenna has been added to Palace’s managerial shortlist, and after he came close to leaving Ipswich Town during their previous stint in the Premier League, there is expectation that he may be willing to depart for South London.
However, as with any manager still contracted to a club, a move for the Northern Irishman would come at a cost.
An expensive shortlist
At the rate that modern football is evolving, managers and head coaches may well be fetching well over £15-£20 million. Alas, the current asking prices range more around the £5-£10 million mark.
McKenna, whose Ipswich side currently occupy second place in the Championship with just one game to go against 14th Queens Park Rangers, is believed to have a break clause of around £8 million.
If the Tractor Boys manage to secure promotion to the top flight, he may well be unattainable, but that hasn’t stopped Palace from pursuing targets to replace Glasner.
Frank Lampard’s name has also been suggested. His Coventry side have already secured the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League for the first time in over 25 years.
His services would cost less than McKenna’s, a rumoured £5 million, but there remains doubt over whether Lampard would even consider leaving the club which gave him a chance to rebuild his managerial career after Everton and Chelsea sacked him.
How Palace’s allure can change
The general level of pull that Palace possess will be determined by their success this campaign. Qualification for European football via the Premier League table now proves unlikely, with Palace dropping off from the pack of teams hunting the 7th and 8th positions.
However, Palace do of course possess a golden route into the Europa League – winning the Conference League this season.
Whilst no mean feat, there is certainly more chance of Palace lifting silverware in Leipzig in May than there is of them finishing in the top eight of the league table.
The likelihood of Iraola being drawn to Selhurst Park seems to be hinging on whether or not he is offered a position at Chelsea.
For now, McKenna simply becomes another name on a long list of potential Glasner replacements – a list which will continue to grow until a name is chosen.
