Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was pencilled in to leave at the end of the season, but a string of poor results means he could now go imminently.
Thursday night in Bosnia should have been a footnote — a routine first-leg job against very modest opposition, with the real business to be done back at Selhurst Park next week.
Instead, the 1-1 draw with Zrinjski Mostar in the Conference League play-off first leg became the latest flashpoint in a season that has slowly curdled around Glasner and Palace.
The travelling supporters made their feelings known.
Chants rang around the away section in Mostar throughout the match, with players booed as they trudged off at full-time. It was a damning scene for a club that, just nine months ago, was lifting the FA Cup at Wembley.
Palace have now won just once in their last 15 games across all competitions. The rot has well and truly set in, and it appears the end may be coming sooner than anyone anticipated.
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Senior figures inside the club are now actively discussing whether allowing Glasner to see out the remaining months of his contract is doing more harm than good.
The Austrian had already confirmed back in January that he would leave when his deal expires in the summer, but with results continuing to spiral and the mood around the club at rock bottom, those conversations have accelerated dramatically.
Reports suggest that Palace have been eyeing replacements for Glasner with a view to hiring the Austrian’s successor this summer, but it is now believed they could appoint his heir immediately.
Crystal Palace eyeing Robbie Keane to replace Oliver Glasner
As for who might replace him, one name has come screaming into the frame.
According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, Palace are considering Robbie Keane as a short-term option should Glasner depart before the end of the season.
The former Republic of Ireland international has reinvented himself as a serious managerial talent in recent years, winning the Israeli Premier League with Maccabi Tel Aviv before claiming the Hungarian top flight in his debut campaign at Ferencvaros.
He boasts a remarkable win ratio of over 73 percent at Maccabi alone, with the ex-Spurs striker also enjoying stints at Leeds United and Middlesbrough as assistant coach.
It would represent Keane’s first crack at Premier League management — a significant step up from the Hungarian top flight.
That being said, those who’ve worked under him, like the Republic of Ireland’s Callum O’Dowda, have nothing but nice things to say.
“As soon as he opens his mouth, you want to listen to him given the level that he has played at and what he has done for the country,” said O’Dowda.
“It’s phenomenal really. On the coaching side he has been good.”
He is currently still in charge at Ferencvaros, who remain active in the Europa League, which complicates any immediate move.
Palace sit 13th in the table, eight points above the drop zone, but that buffer is starting to feel less comfortable with every passing blank week.
Tottenham also considered Keane as an interim before their appointment of Igor Tudor.
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