The Manager Crystal Palace Would Love to Land This Summer

Crystal Palace are already planning for life after Oliver Glasner, with Andoni Iraola emerging as a serious option to replace the Austrian in the summer.

Palace are among several clubs monitoring Iraola’s contract situation at Bournemouth, with the Spaniard yet to agree an extension to his current deal which expires in June.

Oliver Glasner set to leave Crystal Palace

Glasner is expected to depart Selhurst Park when his contract expires at the end of the season.

His relationship with the Palace hierarchy has broken down, mainly over over recruitment strategy and the club’s willingness to sell key players.

It is expected that Glasner will see his contract through and remain in charge until the end of the season, with the club still competing in the Europa Conference League.

Behind the scenes, preparations are under way to identify a successor who can build on the tactical foundations already in place rather than start again.

Andoni Iraola Crystal Palace interest grows

Iraola has impressed decision-makers at Palace during his Bournemouth tenure. He guided the Cherries to ninth last season and a club-record 56 Premier League points, achieving that while working with limited resources.

Similar to how Palace operate, Bournemouth sold many of their key players, including Milos Kerkez, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and more recently, Antoine Semenyo, but performances have remained strong.

His work has earned admiration across the league, not just for results but for how Bournemouth play. Palace are understood to value his calm authority, communication and ability to elevate players without relying on heavy spending.

With his Bournemouth contract expiring this summer and no breakthrough in talks so far, Iraola’s situation is being watched closely.

Will Iraola leave Bournemouth?

Bournemouth have held discussions with owner Bill Foley about a new deal, but progress has stalled.

This uncertainty has fuelled speculation, particularly after the club weakened the squad across the last two transfer windows.

Iraola is thought to want stability and a clear mandate to shape a team over several seasons – which doesn’t exactly scream ‘Crystal Palace’ right now.

With key players leaving and no guarantees on long-term backing, a move elsewhere may appeal if the right project emerges.

Why Iraola would suit Crystal Palace

Purely from a footballing perspective, Iraola at Palace makes sense.

His aggressive pressing, man-for-man approach and emphasis on intensity align well with aspects of the structure Glasner has already implemented.

Rather than ripping up the playbook, Palace could maintain a bit of continuity. That reduces the risk of a disruptive transition and allows the squad to develop within a familiar framework.

Iraola is also well regarded for his work on the training ground and his willingness to trust younger players, traits that fit Palace’s long-standing model.

Would Iraola go to Crystal Palace?

The hurdle for Palace is competition. We know that Manchester United are searching for a permanent manager, but the jobs at Tottenham and Liverpool could also open up.

Those clubs sit further up the ladder and would no doubt be more attractive to Iraola if he does leave Bournemouth.

There are also doubts over whether Palace can offer the level of squad stability he wants. The sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City is an example of a pattern that has frustrated Glasner, but it’s not something Iraola himself is unfamiliar with.

Ultimately, Palace would be wise to move quickly to secure Iraola if they can. The fit feels logical and the upside could be hugely significant if the club backs him properly.