Crystal Palace are now eyeing a move for a former Premier League manager who has been lauded as “incredible” by Pep Guardiola.
The Eagles had been hoping to tempt Andoni Iraola to Selhurst Park, off the back of the former Bournemouth manager guiding the Cherries to the Europa League for the first time in their history. A proposal was made, with Steve Parish & co prepared to give the Spaniard ‘significant influence’ over recruitment. But he is now closing in on a move to Liverpool.
Consequently, Palace may now be forced to move onto alternative options, of which there is no shortage.
The other candidates
Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna, Lens’ Pierre Sage and former Tottenham manager Thomas Frank have all been named as potential targets. Pursuing McKenna or Frank would make sense, as both are experienced in English football. Sage’s stock is high after guiding Lens to a second place finish in Ligue 1 and lifting the French Cup.
But another former Premier League manager is also in Palace’s sights.
Dyche in the frame
According to reporter Alan Nixon (via Goodison News), Crystal Palace are now eyeing a move for Sean Dyche. The former Nottingham Forest man is regarded as a plan B option should they miss out on Iraola.
Frank Lampard is also under consideration, but it would take £5m to get the Coventry City manager out of his contract. Dyche, meanwhile, has been unemployed since being dismissed by Forest in February.
‘Incredible job’
Although the Englishman lasted just 114 days at the City Ground, he was lauded by Guardiola for the job he did at Everton. The City legend said: “Sean Dyche made an incredible job; I don’t forget how Sean took over in that moment, a difficult position, and avoided relegation.”
The 54 year old is also very experienced in the Premier League, winning 99 top flight matches across spells with Burnley, Everton and Forest.
The concern
Having predominantly managed teams with relegation fears, Dyche has averaged just 1.12 points per match in the Premier League. He may not be the man to help Palace kick on, off the back of qualifying for Europe for the second year in a row.
Sage would arguably be a much more exciting Oliver Glasner heir, off the back of winning the French cup in his first season at Lens.
The bottom line
Iraola is heading to Liverpool. Palace need a plan B.
McKenna. Frank. Sage. Lampard. Dyche.
One of them will get the job. Dyche is the most experienced but also the most defensive.
Palace have qualified for Europe two years running. They need a manager who can take them further, not just keep them safe.
The search continues. But Dyche is now firmly in the frame.
