Palace must roll the dice: McKenna the man to lead post-Glasner era
Crystal Palace find themselves at a crossroads. With Oliver Glasner confirming he’ll move on when his deal runs down later this year, the Selhurst Park hierarchy must nail the next call. And if they’ve any sense, they’ll put Kieran McKenna at the very front of the queue.
The shortlist and the snag
According to Miguel Delaney, Palace have drawn up a six-strong list to replace Glasner, with McKenna firmly in the frame alongside the likes of Andoni Iraola and Frank Lampard. The problem? Iraola is expected to look elsewhere, which should only sharpen Palace’s focus on the Ipswich Town head coach.
Why McKenna fits the Palace brief
McKenna has transformed Ipswich with smart coaching, clarity of style and relentless standards. Players improve under him, the football is front‑foot, and he’s shown he can build a culture as well as a team. It’s no surprise he’s been hailed as ‘world-class’ by a major broadsheet — the work on the training ground speaks for itself. Palace’s squad, with pace out wide and technical quality between the lines, looks tailor‑made for his aggressive press and quick transitions.
Crucially, McKenna feels like a project coach who can grow with the club. Give him a coherent structure and the keys to the training pitch, and you’ve got a manager who raises the ceiling rather than just steadying the ship.
Palace have pulling power right now
Timing matters in football. Palace have momentum, investment in the squad, and a platform that could carry them into Europe — buoyed by a first‑leg semi‑final win on the continental stage and the belief that this group can push on. That cocktail makes South London a compelling destination for an ambitious coach, especially if Ipswich fall short of promotion.
The club backed Glasner smartly; extend that conviction to the next appointment and you can sell a genuine project: sharpen the identity, develop young talent, and turn Selhurst Park into a fortress every other weekend.
Decision time at Selhurst
With Iraola likely slipping away and other candidates circling jobs elsewhere, dithering would be costly. Move quickly, put a persuasive package on the table, and match McKenna’s ambition with your own. He’s earned a Premier League shot at a club not mired in a relegation scrap — and Palace, right now, look like exactly that opportunity.
If the Eagles want the next phase to be defined by progress rather than patchwork, McKenna’s the call. Get it done, and the summer looks exciting; miss it, and you risk watching a rival reap the rewards.
For form guides, odds chatter and a broader view of the market, have a look at best betting sites roundups — and remember: Palace must act decisively while the window of opportunity is open.
