The Bayer Leverkusen job is now a direct shootout between Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola. Whoever accepts first between the Crystal Palace and Bournemouth managers will get the job.
BILD report that whichever manager accepts the offer currently on the table first, will be in charge in Leverkusen next season. It is now as simple as that.
Leverkusen waiting
The newspaper explains that Bayer Leverkusen have now narrowed down their search for Kasper Hjulmand’s replacement to two names, Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola. Leverkusen chiefs Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes consider both as top candidates.
According to BILD, who accepts first will now get the job. As of Friday evening, neither the Crystal Palace boss nor the Bournemouth boss had committed to Leverkusen.
Glasner, for his part, wants to focus solely on completing his contract with Crystal Palace first. He is only now holding personal talks with suitors. A report this week stated the Austrian would listen to the proposal over the weekend.
Leverkusen have already finalised terms with his management. But it remains to be seen whether he wants to return to the Bundesliga of wait for a new offer in the Premier League.
Iraola wants squad changes
The same applies to Iraola at Bournemouth. He’s already received a concrete offer from Crystal Palace to replace Glasner. But he is ‘playing hardball’ with the Eagles, wanting leeway to reshape the squad.
On the flip side, he is also more proactive than Glasner. That means Leverkusen have already spoken to him and are further along in negotiations with him. He’s already spoken to Rolfes about changes to the team. He’s also done that with Palace, and recently AC Milan.
Bayer Leverkusen want a quick commitment, with no other options on the list. But neither the Bournemouth manager nor the Crystal Palace manager are ready to commit at this moment in time.