- Crystal Palace want Andoni Iraola
- Potential rival have pulled out
- The Spaniard ‘wants’ London move
Crystal Palace’s chances of appointing Andoni Iraola as Oliver Glasner’s successor continue to improve. The departing Bournemouth boss is the top choice to become the Eagles’ new manager.
Iraola, like Glasner, will leave the Cherries at the end of the season, and he is highly sought-after. The Spaniard has been a success at the Vitality, transforming his side into a European qualification contender.
Bournemouth currently sit sixth in the Premier League, six points off fifth place. It looks increasingly likely that Iraola will deliver European football to them next season.
Athletic Club Out of Iraola Race
Palace’s interest in Iraola has been confirmed by David Ornstein, although the Chelsea managerial vacancy has raised doubts. But good news arrived last week when it was claimed that the Spanish tactician is “attracted to London.”
Iraola had been linked with Athletic Club, the club he spent his playing career with. But the La Liga side have confirmed former Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic as their new coach.
That rules the Basque outfit out of the race to appoint Iraola. There are also limited options in the Premier League, given that Tottenham Hotspur has appointed Roberto De Zerbi as manager.
Manchester United are reportedly expected to offer Michael Carrick the permanent job at Old Trafford. That might just leave Chelsea for Palace to contend with, and the west Londoners don’t appear to be showing the same level of interest.
The Stamford Bridge giants also have Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva on their radar. The Eagles could even be the ones offering Iraola a move to European football next season, as the Blues have slipped to ninth in the table with three games left in the season.
A Real Possibility
A return to Bilbao felt like the most likely outcome when Iraola announced his decision to leave Bournemouth. That’s no longer a possibility, and the Selhurst Park appointment is becoming the likeliest destination.
Iraola has overseen 12 wins and nine defeats in 37 games across competitions this season at Bournemouth. He’s the most exciting candidate on Palace’s list of Glasner replacements.
