Oliver Glasner is being discussed as the next Crystal Palace manager and will be given approval to spend in the summer window if he gets the job.
Palace have tried to hold back on transfer plans while Roy Hodgson has been at the helm but the club dipped into the January window to snap up £18.5million Adam Wharton from Blackburn and £8million Daniel Munoz from Genk.
Chairman Steve Parish always intended to invest in the next window and an opportunity to freshen up the side – which will include a new striker – could be key to convincing Glasner of their ambition.
Fans have protested recently over the major decision making that has been lacking – leading to fears that they are going backwards.
Hodgson’s time at the club is drawing to a close after a run of three wins in 18 matches but Palace have been cautious about making a decision on axing him.
Finding the right successor is key but top target Steve Cooper has seemed unwilling to take the job at this stage.
Glasner – formerly of Eintracht Frankfurt – has been identified along with Bo Svensson as a key candidate to take the job but agreements over terms and conditions still need to be reached and future plans are also going to be crucial.
Glasner is a native Austrian with a good command of English and a tactical style that should suit Palace in the next phase of their build.
The Eagles are looking for someone with good organisational skills but also want a coach who is forward thinking and can press in a manner fitting with some of the best teams currently in the Premier League.
Glasner fits the bill in that respect but sources say he would seek complete understanding from Parish that he would have a say on recruitment and planning for the coming seasons.
He will also want assurances around their star names as the futures of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi will undoubtedly come under scrutiny in the coming months.
As for Hodgson, it will be intriguing to see what his next step will be and whether he decides to retire. His passion for the game continues but aged 76 and in his 48th year of management, this could be the end of the road.
Hodgson finds it difficult to say no to a challenge but a journey that began at Halmstad in Sweden in 1976 may well end at Crystal Palace in 2024. There will be opportunities to stay in the game though, including ambassadorial roles.
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