Crystal Palace are seemingly no closer to deciding on a replacement for Oliver Glasner, but interesting rumours are floating around in the meantime.
Steve Parish is said to be waiting to see if Crystal Palace qualify for the UEFA Europa League – feeling the competition would unlock a “higher calibre” of manager, according to Sky Sports.
However, should that not happen, some names have already been shortlisted. Marcelino has been approached after opting to leave Villarreal, while Kieran McKenna is also admired by the Eagles.
The Daily Mail have now provided an intriguing update on McKenna amid interest from Crystal Palace – claiming that some players at Ipswich are fearful of losing the former Manchester United coach.
Who do YOU want as the next Crystal Palace boss? 🤔
Ipswich players think Kieran McKenna could depart
Despite only just winning promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, some players at Portman Road believe the 39-year-old could be off.
Crystal Palace actually wanted McKenna before Glasner and held talks with the Northern Irishman back in February 2024 – only for him to choose to continue fighting for promotion with Ipswich that term.
The former Tottenham coach is said to have little desire to leave Ipswich again, although the Daily Mail say his own players are worried about him departing, with Chelsea also understood to be admirers.
McKenna would not be a cheap appointment for Crystal Palace or Chelsea – who like Xavi too along with Andoni Iraola. The compensation fee needed to hire the Ipswich boss is understood to be £8m, and he remains under contract until July 2028.
Chelsea could prove to be a real thorn in our side this summer, having also been linked to Marco Silva at Fulham – another manager said to be under consideration at Selhurst Park.
Who deserves to take the crown from Daniel Munoz? 👑
However, if we can qualify for the UEFA Europa League and the Blues miss out on European football entirely, we may actually be able to outmuscle them in the hunt for a new manager.
