Manchester United beaten to top managerial target by Crystal Palace this summer: report
Manchester United will miss out on one of their top managerial targets this summer, according to reports in 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
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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.
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.
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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.
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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.

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.
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