Overview
- Spanish TV show El Chiringuito said Thursday that Andoni Iraola is close to joining Crystal Palace, a claim echoed by Goal, Football España and the Bournemouth Echo.
- talkSPORT reported Friday that Palace have told Iraola he is their top choice to replace Oliver Glasner, though talks are not advanced and he has not committed.
- talkSPORT added that Palace’s chances could hinge on Chelsea deciding to follow up early interest and on Palace earning Europa League qualification by winning the Conference League final.
- Palace are lining up fallback options, holding talks with former Flamengo coach Filipe Luis and weighing candidates including Rayo Vallecano’s Inigo Perez, Frank Lampard, Thomas Frank and Pierre Sage.
- Iraola’s stock is high after Bournemouth confirmed in April he will leave at season’s end, with his team sitting sixth on a long unbeaten league run that has put European qualification within reach.