Crystal Palace are now in the hunt for a new manager alongside Chelsea after Liam Rosenior was sacked at Stamford Bridge.
The timing is far from ideal, with Manchester United still in the market too despite Michael Carrick winning eight of his 12 games in charge so far.
Steve Parish had decided to pursue Andoni Iraola – offering the Spaniard a contract almost immediately after it was announced he will be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season.
The 43-year-old has now responded to Crystal Palace, but it is bad news according to The Sun.
Andoni Iraola rejects Crystal Palace twice as Chelsea enter the frame
Jack Rosser writes that Iraola has turned down two offers from Crystal Palace, suggesting he has no intention of moving to Selhurst Park this summer.
If the man from Usurbil was not already an ambitious target for Parish, the situation has now become more difficult as The Sun believe he is a leading contender for the vacancy at Chelsea.
Calum McFarlane will take charge of the Blues until the end of the season, but those at Stamford Bridge are hoping to replace Rosenior with a manager who possesses Premier League experience, a box Iraola ticks having been at Bournemouth since June 2023.
Crystal Palace – who are also considering Ruben Amorim too – could still hire Iraola, and we personally find it interesting that Parish made two offers to the former Spain international.
Andoni Iraola looks on during a Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
If he had no intention whatsoever of managing the Eagles, his first response presumably would have made that clear.
Having said that, Parish may just be showing some persistence and urgency by making a second offer before Chelsea have a chance to get in touch.
It remains to be seen what happens, but barring a truly irresistible third offer from Parish, it seems as if Iraola will not be replacing Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace this summer.