Published May 28, 2026, 11:30 AM GMT+1

Emilio is an experienced football journalist who has worked at Football FanCast for over six years.

After graduating with first-class honours from the University of Central Lancashire in 2019, it didn't take long for Emilio to clinch his first job in journalism at Snack Media, now Valnet.

Emilio has written for a host of the company's biggest past and current football news websites - Vital Football, The Transfer Tavern and Football FanCast. 

Emilio's strengths include the intricacies of football transfers, while he particularly enjoys writing about the business side of football. He has covered Tottenham Hotspur on a weekly basis for a number of years now, developing a deep understanding of the culture and what Lilywhites fans engage with.

In his spare time, you can find Emilio travelling the world, or even in a boxing ring.

The Eagles lifted their first ever piece of European silverware after a dramatic final win, capping off an emotional season and giving supporters another unforgettable moment following their FA Cup and Community Shield success in 2025.

It was a result that also strengthened the feeling around Selhurst Park that the club have continued to move forward over the last two years, despite inconsistency in the Premier League.

However, uncertainty over the managerial position remains a major talking point heading into the summer.

Oliver Glasner will wave goodbye to the club after the perfect send off in Leipzig, meaning Palace are continuing to assess potential replacements ahead of what could be another important rebuild.

Among the names linked most heavily with the role has been Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola.

The Spaniard has attracted admiration across Europe after guiding Bournemouth to an impressive campaign.

Bournemouth finished sixth in the Premier League and played some of the division’s most aggressive and entertaining football under Iraola, significantly raising his reputation over the past 12 months.

That form has naturally led to interest from several clubs, including AC Milan and Crystal Palace, with the former believed to have opened talks to rival Steve Parish's interest.

However, according to comments made by Sky Sports during a live broadcast, neither situation currently appears close to progressing.

On one hand, the collapse of momentum in Milan’s pursuit could have opened the door for another club to move into a stronger position.

But the suggestion from Sky is that Iraola’s reluctance to join Palace remains unchanged regardless of developments elsewhere.

Winning the Conference League has given the club another major achievement and strengthened their growing profile across Europe. But their league campaign was far less convincing, with Palace spending much of the season in the lower half.

That contrast may partly explain why convincing a manager already succeeding elsewhere could prove difficult.

Still, Palace are expected to continue exploring multiple options before making a final decision, with ex-Flamengo boss Filipe Luis among the alternatives spoken to.

Iraola remains admired internally because of his attacking style, coaching reputation and ability to improve players, even if a move currently looks unlikely.

The situation could also still change quickly.

Managerial markets often shift rapidly once clubs formally begin negotiations, and Palace know they are approaching a crucial appointment ahead of another season involving European football.

For now, though, the message coming out of Sky Sports is clear: despite Palace’s European triumph and AC Milan’s stalled discussions, Iraola does not appear any closer to joining.