Crystal Palace are working to appoint Chelsea and Manchester United target Andoni Iraola as their next manager.
The Eagles have made the AFC Bournemouth manager their main target for the summer, with Oliver Glasner leaving. The south London side are aware of interest in the 43-year-old, but are hoping that they can lure him ahead of the competition by offering him a lengthy deal.
Iraola has been a target for Crystal Palace since Glasner made it clear that he will be leaving at the end of the season. Sources close to the Bournemouth manager revealed that the interest from Selhurst Park and Athletic Bilbao played a key role in his decision not to renew his contract at the Vitality Stadium.
However, the Basque side are out of the running after agreeing terms with Edin Terzic, but Chelsea have entered the race following the sacking of Liam Rosenior. Sources close to Iraola have insisted that nothing is advanced with Crystal Palace, but confirmed that multiple talks have taken place with the UEFA Conference League finalists.
Reports elsewhere suggest that Frank Lampard, Kieran McKenna, Thomas Frank, Sean Dyche, Marco Silva and Pierre Sage are the other managers on the Palace shortlist.
What are Chelsea planning with Andoni Iraola?
Chelsea have Iraola on their wishlist for the summer, along with Xabi Alonso. The word coming out from Stamford Bridge is that they do not have a favourite for the job as things stand, but The Sportzine sources indicate that the former Real Madrid man is the main candidate.
The Blues have not finalised their shortlist yet, though only two names have been mentioned when asked about the managerial hunt. Iraola seems to be ‘Plan B’ if talks with Alonso do not progress, but the unofficial comment from the club remains – ‘we are waiting for the end of the season before continuing talks’.
Marco Silva has also been linked with the job elsewhere in the media, but none of our sources has named the Fulham manager. Xavi and Francesco Farioli are not part of the plans at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester United waiting to hold talks with Andoni Iraola
Manchester United are the latest side to show interest in Iraola, but once again, he remains a club’s Plan B. Michael Carrick continues to be the red-hot favourite for the job at Old Trafford this summer.
Kieran McKenna is another name in the running, but the Red Devils are keen on finishing the season with Carrick before holding talks with all managers. Mauricio Pochettino is also another name linked, but sources close to the manager insist that it has no legs.
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