Oliver Glasner immediately offered new job after leading Crystal Palace to Conference League
Oliver Glasner had already been offered an immediate return to management after signing off at Crystal Palace by leading the Eagles to the Conference League in his final game.
Glasner had confirmed his departure from Palace earlier in the season after an incredible two-year spell which brought memorable FA Cup and Community Shield triumphs at Wembley.
But the Austrian delivered one more special day for the Palace faithful when they contested the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on Wednesday.
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the only goal of the game five minutes after half-time to secure Palace's first ever European title and a place in next season's Europa League in the perfect sign-off for Glasner.
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Arguably Palace's great ever manager, Glasner's deal expires on June 30.
However, the 51-year-old could make a swift return to coaching as according to journalist Nicolo Schira, Bayer Leverkusen have made an approach.
Glasner is rated highly in Germany after his spells with Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, where he won the Europa League in 2022.
Leverkusen appointed former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag last summer but the Dutchman endured a disastrous tenure, being sacked after just three games.
Former Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand was brought in as Ten Hag's replacement and guided Leverkusen to sixth place.
Despite an impressive turnaround, Hjulmand is not expected to stay as manager and Leverkusen are looking for a replacement.
According to Fabrizio Romano, former Flamengo manager Filipe Luis was a leading contender but is poised to take the managerial job at AS Monaco.
That means Glasner is in the frame for what looks set to be a fresh start for a team whose 2023/24 title win under Xabi Alonso feels like a long time ago.
Crystal Palace identify dream candidate for Oliver Glasner replacement
Palace had known about Glasner's departure for a long time and have been working towards finding a suitable replacement.
Former Spurs and Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been mentioned as a candidate, as has Coventry manager Frank Lampard after the stormed the Championship and secured promotion to the Premier League.
However, Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport say that Andoni Iraola is set to be the new Palace manager after rejecting the chance to manage AC Milan.
With his family settled, Iraola is keen on remaining in England after guiding Bournemouth to record-high sixth place and Europa League football in his final season.
He is said to be unconvinced by the project at sleeping giants Milan, who finished fifth in Serie A.
Like Glasner, Iraola will also soon be a free agent after ending his time at the Vitality Stadium.
The BBC say that Iraola is Palace's first-choice to replace Glasner and they have presented him a proposal which is said to a deadline of this weekend for a response.
The Spaniard, who also managed AEK Larnaca and Vallecano before taking the Bournemouth job, is one of the most exciting coaches in today's game and his high-octane style has admirers all over the world.
Topics: Crystal Palace
Josh Lawless