- Crystal Palace want Andoni Iraola
- Departing Bournemouth boss is earning plaudits
- Steve Parish made bold claim over long-term ambition
Crystal Palace are eager to appoint Andoni Iraola as their new manager, and he could be the one who achieves Steve Parish’s long-term objective. The signs are there that the Spaniard is a special coach on the brink of reaching the elite level of European management.
Reports claim that Iraola is Palace’s top choice to succeed Oliver Glasner and he is on a three-man managerial shortlist. Lens’ Pierre Sage is also of interest and another unnamed candidate is in the race.
Iraola is highly coveted amid a sensational season in charge at Bournemouth. He’s guided the Cherries to European football for the first time in the club’s history.
Crystal Palace dream of Iraola
Iraola ensured Pep Guardiola ends his Manchester City reign without a seventh Premier League title. His side drew 1-1 against the Citizens on Tuesday night, handing the crown over to Arsenal.
Bournemouth were the better side in that game and Iraola has got the better of many top tacticians during his time at the Vitality Stadium. This season, he’s beaten Mikel Arteta, Arne Slot and even Glasner.
Iraola hasn’t just got results while managing the Cherries, he’s implemented an exciting brand of football that Palace fans would relish. He now has Premier League experience and a clear understanding of the English game.
Parish’s plan
Parish gave a huge statement of his intentions after securing American funding back in 2015. He claimed that the club could become Premier League champions in the long run:
“I’m not saying this investment will see us lift the title next season but in 10 to 15 years we can win the Premier League.“
In 2023, Parish also explained how the required steps have been taken for Palace to be regularly challenging for trophies:
“I’d like to win things with this football club. I’m a fan of the club. The objective is to leave it better off than I found it. What I want, in 10, 20 years, is always winning things, regularly winning things. We’ve built the building blocks.”
Parish’s appointment of Glasner was an astute one and the Austrian guided the Eagles to their first-ever major trophy. Last season’s FA Cup triumph is the greatest accomplishment in the club’s history.
Glasner could bow out of Selhurst Park by leading his side to a first-ever European trophy. They face Rayo Vallecano in the UEFA Conference League final on May 27th.
Iraola is the man who can not only take the reins from Glasner but also take the club towards Parish’s ambitious goal. His record speaks for itself this season, with Bournemouth being unbeaten in their last 17 outings.
