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Sport
Joe Donnohue

Manchester United beaten to top managerial target by Crystal Palace this summer: report

Tottenham target Andoni Iraola head coach of Rayo Vallecano reacts during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Rayo Vallecano at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 24, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

The Red Devils could lose out to Premier League rivals Crystal Palace in their pursuit of highly-regarded head coach Andoni Iraola.

The Bournemouth boss is leaving the Vitality Stadium this summer at the end of his contract and is contemplating his next move.

Iraola has been linked with the vacant posts at Man United and Chelsea, with interim coaches both seeing out their respective campaigns.

Andoni Iraola to Crystal Palace

Iraola has been continually linked with the Manchester United job since Ruben Amorim's departure earlier this season, and while interim boss Michael Carrick has guided the club to Champions League qualification, Iraola's tactical profile is reportedly still admired.

The Spaniard is frequently cited as a primary candidate to be appointed at Old Trafford this summer, with a final decision on Man United's next manager yet to be made by the club's higher-ups.

Andoni Iraola (R) (Image credit: Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

The interest appears to have been driven by Iraola's ability to establish a clear tactical identity with Bournemouth and how that might translate favourably to Man United.

According to El Chiringuito, Iraola is 'close' to agreeing a move to Crystal Palace this summer instead, though, replacing the departing Oliver Glasner.

The Austrian coach is another name linked with the Man United job, and with Iraola out of the picture, may allow the Red Devils to prioritise Glasner in their pursuit of Amorim's permanent successor.

With the Cherries, Iraola successfully transitioned the team from a lower-block defensive unit into a proactive, high-pressing side.

His main achievements include leading the club to its highest-ever Premier League finish and securing significant victories against several of the league's top-six teams.

He is also credited with improving individual players such as Antoine Semenyo and Milos Kerkez, both of whom were sold for huge profits.

Within managerial circles, Iraola is regarded as a tactically disciplined coach whose systems are difficult to play against. He is a sought-after profile for clubs looking to modernise on the pitch.

It was suggested Iraola may wish to return to Athletic Club in Spain, where he spent the entirety of his European playing career, however, the Basque side have appointed Edin Terzic to succeed Ernesto Valverde.

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