Crystal Palace’s search for Oliver Glasner’s successor has taken a fresh twist, with Fulham now emerging as direct rivals for the Eagles’ top target: Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola.
Glasner has publicly confirmed his intention to leave Selhurst Park when his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, ending a trophy-laden spell that delivered the FA Cup and Community Shield.
Palace are already drawing up a shortlist, and The Telegraph reports they are “exploring an ambitious move” for Iraola as the man to build on their European breakthrough.
But Palace won’t have a clear run. Fulham boss Marco Silva’s future is uncertain with his deal also up this summer, and the Cottagers have placed Iraola high on their own list of Glasner replacements.
Bookmakers now have Silva at 10/1 to take the Palace job, underlining how intertwined the two clubs’ searches have become.
Iraola, 43, is out of contract at Bournemouth this summer and “has given no clear indication of his next move”.
His stock has soared after guiding the Cherries to the brink of Champions League qualification with a high-pressing, vertical style that mirrors Palace’s recruitment model.
He’s also been linked with Athletic Club and Champions League sides, but sources suggest he “could be tempted by another football ‘project’” rather than a heavyweight.
Palace see Iraola as the ideal fit for their young, athletic squad and have already made contact.
Yet Fulham’s interest means Steve Parish may have to move fast — and beat their London rivals to the punch.
Other names on Palace’s list include Xavi, Thomas Frank, Dino Toppmoller and Robbie Keane, but Iraola remains the standout.
With Bayer Leverkusen also circling, the race is heating up. For Palace, the message is simple: to land their dream Glasner successor, they’ll first have to out-muscle Fulham.
