Crystal Palace and chairman Steve Parish have reportedly made a lucrative offer to a manager to join the club, and his response has been very positive.
Palace are in the final stages of one of the most memorable seasons in their history, with Sunday’s home game against Everton coming just three days after Palace secured a place in the Europa Conference League final.
Oliver Glasner’s side defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 and 5-2 on aggregate at Selhurst Park on Thursday to book a trip to Leipzig’s Red Bull Arena, where Rayo Vallecano will be their opponents.
This was the club’s first European final since its inception, and naturally expectations for SE25 skyrocketed.
However, the challenges at hand are rather mundane.
Palace sit 15th in the Premier League, seven points above the relegation zone with three games in hand, and are mathematically close to being assured of safety, but a win on Sunday would effectively ensure their safety and allow Glasner to focus fully on Leipzig.
The manager was aiming to take over at Newcastle, but negotiations resulted in a move to Crystal Palace.
With Eddie Howe remaining, the Eagles have an opportunity.
Coach Glasner has indicated that he will prioritize the conference league finals and may make a significant rotation.
Austria will face a significantly changed squad against Everton, with Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Tyrik Mitchell and Jeremy Pinot all mentioned as likely to be rested.
Jorgen Strand-Larsen is expected to lead the line, with Brennan Johnson and Justin Deveney providing support in attack, with Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes likely to be midfield options.
Eddie Nketiah, Borna Sosa and Evan Guesand remain absent.
Everton arrived having conceded a result-deciding goal after the 90th minute in their last three games. They are the first club in Premier League history to concede three goals in a row, a record Moyes is desperate to end.
Their hopes in Europe are rapidly fading. They have won just one of their last six games, but a tired and rotated Palace team at Selhurst Park probably represent their best remaining chance to pick up the points they need.
Everton have won each of their last three meetings with Palace by 2-1 scorelines, and the historic result at Selhurst gives manager Moyes reason for quiet optimism.
Off the pitch, the developments that had been building up over the past week took a decisive turn.
Andoni Iraola ‘very attracted’ to Crystal Palace after receiving big-money offer
According to Marca journalist Matteo Mollet, one of the most reliable voices on transfer matters in Spanish football, Palace’s top management target Andoni Iraola is very attracted to the Crystal Palace project.
According to Mollet, the financial offer presented by Palace is substantial and the Basque manager now appears very willing to accept it.
The report confirmed what BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel revealed earlier this week that preliminary talks had already taken place and Iraola had not ruled out joining the Eagles.
The business environment surrounding him has also been greatly simplified.
Edin Terzic’s move to Athletic Club Bilbao closed one possible route, Chelsea’s instability seems to have done little to attract him, and Eddie Howe’s expected stay at Newcastle has eliminated another viable option.
Palace’s appearance in the Conference League finals, the club’s infrastructure, which has steadily grown over the past three years, and its clear footballing identity all seem to have resonated with the manager, along with a huge offer.
Mr. Glassner will sign off on an unusual term later this month, by which time his successor may already be all but confirmed.
Crystal Palace have made contact with club’s legendary manager, leaving confirmed
South Londoners cast their nets far and wide.
