Crystal Palace contact club’s legendary manager with exit already confirmed

Crystal Palace have contacted one club’s legendary manager who is confirmed to be leaving at the end of the season, according to reports.

Palace actively searching for Oliver Glasner’s replacement

Palace’s search for Oliver Glasner‘s successor has been one of the more intriguing storylines of the final weeks of the Premier League season, with chairman Steve Parish understood to be conducting a thorough process before making what will be one of the most significant appointments in the club’s recent history.

Glasner’s legacy at Selhurst Park is substantial.

The Austrian guided Palace to FA Cup glory last season and followed that with Community Shield success at the start of this campaign, building one of the most tactically coherent and physically demanding sides in the division.

They’re also on the cusp of a first ever European final, and if they win the Conference League, the Eagles will secure a place in the Europa League for next season — fitting considering that very prize was taken off them before the start of 2025/2026.

He leaves behind a squad with genuine quality and a clear identity, so the task for whoever comes next is to preserve that foundation and take it further.

Parish has drawn up reported a list that reflects genuine ambition.

Frank Lampard has been a widely reported target over recent weeks, with the Coventry City boss delivering Championship title glory this season and is understood to be open to a return to London, despite the Sky Blues’ insistence that he is not available.

Andoni Iraola, who confirmed his Bournemouth departure earlier in the year, has attracted major interest from Palace as well as several other clubs, and his availability on a free makes him an obvious candidate.

Kieran McKenna was a name Parish pursued in 2024 before he stayed at Ipswich Town, and the Irishman remains in consideration.

Ruben Amorim was apparently put forward by intermediaries too, despite some reservations within the club about his record at Man United.

Dino Toppmoller and José Bordalás have also been mentioned in connection with the vacancy.

It is a broad and international shortlist, and it has now taken on an additional name from La Liga.

According to EFE, the Spanish news agency, Palace have already made initial contact with Marcelino following the Villarreal manager’s confirmed departure from the club.

Villarreal announced this week that Marcelino will leave the Estadio de la Ceramica at the end of the season.

It is a parting that leaves the 60-year-old available at precisely the moment Palace need answers.

He departs having guided Villarreal to Champions League qualification in consecutive seasons, with the club currently sitting third in La Liga, five points clear of Atlético Madrid in fourth.

His wider CV includes a Copa del Rey triumph with Valencia in 2019 and a Super Cup with Athletic Bilbao in 2023, two separate stints at Villarreal, and spells at Sevilla, Getafe, Levante and Marseille.

He is, by all accounts, a Villarreal legend, and will have managed the Yellow Submarine over a grand total of 298 games by the end of the season — more than any other coach in their history.

In that time, Marcelino has also boasted an excellent win percentage of over 49 per cent.

His pragmatic, structured approach and emphasis on defensive organisation share tactical similarities with Glasner’s philosophy, which would ease any transitional period for a squad already well-drilled in high-tempo, disciplined football.

Marcelino is understood to be keen on a move to the Premier League, with Palace, Newcastle and Bournemouth all mentioned as potential suitors in recent seasons.

The contact is exploratory at this stage.

Parish will not be rushed, but with a manager of Marcelino’s standing now confirmed as available and apparently receptive, the conversation has every reason to develop further.