Crystal Palace are considering former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez as a potential replacement for Oliver Glasner.
Oliver Glasner could end up leaving Crystal Palace at the end of the season, and the Eagles have already started making plans to cope with his potential departure. According to a report from Fichajes, Palace are eyeing a move for former Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez.
Glasner joined the Eagles at the start of 2024, and he has had quite an impact on the club in his short spell. The 51-year-old has completely transformed them and helped them win the FA Cup as well as the Community Shield.
They have had a promising first half of the season, winning 14 out of their 29 games across competitions. Palace are very much in the race to secure European football for next season.
Glasner seems set to leave the Eagles
While the Eagles are quite pleased with the work Glasner has put in and they would love to have him around for years to come, the Austrian manager seems set to leave the club at the end of the season.
He is set to enter the final six months of his deal and has already made it clear that he won’t be extending his stay. The club are set to respect his decision because of all that he has done for them.
While he will continue to lead them until the end of the ongoing campaign, Crystal Palace have already started looking at managers who could potentially take his place in the team.
The Eagles have identified Xavi as an ideal fit for their project. The 45-year-old has been without a job since parting ways with Barcelona at the end of the 2023/24 season. During his time at the club, he managed in 143 matches and averaged over 2 points per game.
Palace want Xavi as their next boss
Xavi even led them to the league title, in what was considered one of the most difficult phases in the history of the Catalan club. The former Barcelona midfielder has been patiently waiting for the right project to make a return, and he could certainly be interested in the Palace job.
Not only would he be able to test himself in one of the most demanding leagues, but the Eagles would also allow him to fully express the brand of football he believes in.
His ability to work with young players, commitment to organised, possession-based football, and experience of managing at the highest level make him a strong candidate for the job at Selhurst Park. While Palace have yet to make a move as they continue to assess the market, Xavi remains high on their wishlist.
