Crystal Palace Eye Bournemouth Boss Andoni Iraola as Summer Replacement
Crystal Palace are targeting Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola to take over from Oliver Glasner when the Austrian departs Selhurst Park this summer, according to reports.
Glasner is set to leave upon the expiration of his contract, prompting Palace to draw up a shortlist of potential successors. The Eagles have now identified Iraola as their preferred candidate, hoping to lure the Spaniard away from the south coast when his own deal with Bournemouth concludes at the end of the current season.
The 43-year-old has attracted interest from several clubs, including Athletic Bilbao, due to the uncertainty surrounding his future at the Vitality Stadium. While Bournemouth remain keen to extend his contract, Palace believe they can persuade Iraola to continue his Premier League career in south London.
Iraola joined the Cherries from Rayo Vallecano in 2023 and has overseen a period of steady progress. He guided Bournemouth to 12th place in his debut campaign, improved that to ninth last season, and currently has them sitting 13th with seven matches remaining, just seven points adrift of the European places.
Palace had hoped to build on last season’s FA Cup triumph and their Community Shield victory over Liverpool, but Glasner has been unable to replicate that success. With the team underperforming, both parties agreed to part ways at the season’s end.
Former Brentford manager Thomas Frank has also been linked with the vacancy, and further names are expected to surface in the coming weeks. Palace appear determined to appoint a head coach with proven Premier League experience, a criterion both Iraola and Frank satisfy.
The Eagles return to action on April 9 when they host Fiorentina in the first leg of the Conference League quarter-finals, seeking a result to keep their European ambitions alive.