Andoni Iraola has reportedly allowed Crystal Palace to pass the 24-hour deadline set for him to accept the Selhurst Park manager’s job as Liverpool arrange negotiations with the outgoing Bournemouth manager. It is claimed the 43-year-old had until the weekend to inform Steve Parish and the Eagles of his intentions, with Liverpool’s Premier League rivals equally determined to secure his availability.
Oliver Glasner was due to leave Selhurst Park when his contract expired and Palace were keen to lure Iraola to the capital. However, Iraola is also thought to be the frontrunner to replace Arne Slott following his sacking by the Anfield boss.
Liverpool are preparing to intensify negotiations with Iraola this week and hope to have a new manager in place before the start of the World Cup on June 11.
Additionally, Iraola is reported to be a target of Italian giants AC Milan, while German giants Bayer Leverkusen are also said to have entered into negotiations with the former Cherries manager.
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes was instrumental in bringing Iraola to the Vitality Stadium three years ago when the Reds boss held the same role on the south coast, and has great respect for the Bournemouth manager’s achievements at Anfield.
Iraola’s inner circle remains tight-lipped and refuses to discuss the matter, but Liverpool are keen to confirm their successor without delay ahead of a crucial season.
Iraola is understood to be an attractive proposition as club owners Fenway Sports Group look for a more dynamic, attack-oriented style of play after a tumultuous season under Slott, where the Reds lost 20 games in all competitions.
Bournemouth ended the season with an impressive 18-game unbeaten run, taking them to the top of European football for the first time in their history.
Throughout Iraola’s time at the helm, the Cherries were widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s most relentless pressing outfits, with Slott frequently referencing his running statistics in the build-up of the two teams’ fixtures over the past two seasons.
The Reds insist their search for a new manager will not be narrowed down to a single target at this stage, but Iraola is understood to be rapidly emerging as a priority target.
Liverpool have drawn up a shortlist that is thought to include Stuttgart’s Sebastian Hoeness and Reims’ Pierre Sarge and hope to confirm the appointment at the earliest opportunity to give Slott’s successor enough time to thoroughly assess and prepare the squad for the next campaign.
Slott was informed of Liverpool’s decision to leave the club on Saturday morning, with the announcement made public at 12.30pm, with the Dutchman’s backroom team then beginning the process of formally confirming his departure.
