The daunting task of replacing Oliver Glasner has only become harder for Crystal Palace after Chelsea entered the market for a new manager.
After Liam Rosenior – who defeated Glasner with Strasbourg back in November – was handed his P45 at Stamford Bridge, the Blues are now jostling alongside the Eagles for a new boss.
Steve Parish wants to hire Andoni Iraola after the Spaniard decided to leave Bournemouth – he has already been the subject of two offers from Crystal Palace – but the Standard say Chelsea now plan to speak to the man born in Usurbil.
Chelsea to reach out to Andoni Iraola
It is said that Chelsea have narrowed their shortlist down to three names, and plan to speak to each one.
On the list are Iraola – who admires Yeremy Pino – along with Xabi Alonso and Marco Silva.
The Standard say Chelsea are set to reach out to each of the trio and explore their availability for the job, but worryingly for Crystal Palace, Iraola is said to feature “prominently” on the shortlist.
The Daily Mail have also published some details on Chelsea, Crystal Palace and the 43-year-old.
They explain that Crystal Palace have already held talks with Iraola’s representatives and consider the former AEK Larnaca boss to be the number one choice to replace Glasner.
There is a crumb of comfort for Crystal Palace amid this concerning update, however, as the Daily Mail say Chelsea plan to take “a disciplined approach” in the hunt to replace Rosenior, and will not rush into any decision.
That will give the Eagles some time to truly convince Iraola that his future should be at Selhurst Park, and having had since October – when Glasner first told Parish he wanted to leave – to think about life after the Austrian, Crystal Palace should have already laid down plenty of groundwork with Iraola’s camp.
