Andoni Iraola seemed highly likely to replace Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace before Liverpool made the sudden decision to dismiss Arne Slot.
Steve Parish held talks with Iraola and all seemed to be progressing well after the Spaniard announced his decision to leave Bournemouth.
However, Richard Hughes – Director of Football at Liverpool and also the man who hired Iraola for Bournemouth – was able to use his relationship with the man born in Usurbil to lure him to Anfield.
The Athletic have now shared some details about what happened during talks between the 43-year-old and Crystal Palace before the move to Merseyside materialised.
Who do YOU want as the next Crystal Palace boss? 🤔
Crystal Palace held very advanced talks with Andoni Iraola – even discussing transfers
It is said that Parish’s talks with Iraola became so advanced, that even the topic of recruitment came up, along with preferred playing style and the current “make-up” of the squad.
However, The Athletic say Crystal Palace never made the former AEK Larnaca boss a concrete offer – contrary to reports in Spain – and the Eagles became “pessimistic” over a potential appointment as days went by.
It was always felt Iraola was keeping his options open, and Crystal Palace are said to have been all too aware that bigger clubs would make him an offer after his outstanding work at Bournemouth.
Iraola also met AC Milan – who could soon hire Glasner – and The Athletic say he was “receiving advice from friends to bide his time” instead of commit to Crystal Palace.
Just five days after the season ended, Liverpool then held a meeting and decided to sack Slot.
The Reds lost six of their last 11 games – with the lethargic playing style irking fans – and it was felt a change would be best, prompting Hughes to make Iraola an offer which he quickly accepted.
Crystal Palace now look set to hire Pierre Sage from RC Lens – a coach The Athletic say Liverpool also considered along with Sebastian Hoeness.
Initial thoughts on Pierre Sage? 🤔
He can boast a 67.5% win ratio from 40 games at RC Lens 😍
In that respect, the Frenchman would not be a bad second choice from Parish by any means.
