U-turns, tension & trophies - inside 12 glorious months of Glasner

When Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish initially met with Oliver Glasner in late 2023, he could not have predicted that this meeting would pivot the course of the club's future.

The introduction had been arranged by sporting director Dougie Freedman, who had been closely monitoring Glasner's successful tenure in the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt. Freedman was particularly impressed with Glasner's progression.

At that time, Roy Hodgson was managing at Selhurst Park, yet mounting pressure was evident for a managerial change. Although Parish traditionally preferred candidates with Premier League experience, he found Glasner's attributes compelling.

By the time Hodgson's departure occurred the following February, preparations were already in place to appoint the Austrian coach.

Fast forward two and a half years, and Glasner capped his tenure by leading Crystal Palace to Conference League victory, overcoming Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig.

This match marked his final outing as manager but concluded an extraordinary 12-month stretch characterized by exceptional successes.

"He has to be one of the best managers Crystal Palace has ever had," stated Palace midfielder Adam Wharton.

"He has transformed the club's perspective on competition. We are no longer merely aiming for Premier League survival; we aspire to compete at the highest level and claim victories."

So how did Glasner take Palace, a club that had not won a major trophy prior to last season, to triumphs in the FA Cup, Community Shield, and Conference League all within a span of 375 remarkable days?

European heartbreak and threatening to quit

As Palace celebrated their FA Cup final victory over Manchester City at Wembley, they were soon faced with an unforeseen setback.

In early July, the atmosphere in south London was charged with excitement as fans anticipated Selhurst Park hosting Europa League matches for the first time. However, Uefa ruled that Palace had violated its multi-club ownership regulations—due to American businessman John Textor's stakes in both the Eagles and French club Lyon, which had also qualified for the Europa League—leading to Palace's demotion to the Conference League.

This surprising decision threatened to overshadow Palace's achievements before the new season had even commenced, with Parish labeling it "probably one of the greatest injustices that has ever happened in European football," following an ultimately futile appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nonetheless, after a 120-year wait for a first major trophy, the determination of Palace remained largely intact.

The Eagles exhibited resilience by commencing the new season with a victory over Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield, again at Wembley.

However, further turbulence ensued with the departure of key player Eberechi Eze, who transferred to Arsenal for a record fee after five years. Moreover, the potential loss of star defender and captain Marc Guehi loomed after negotiations were reportedly underway for him to join Liverpool—until Glasner intervened.

Guehi's intended transfer, which could have netted Palace more than £35 million in the final year of his contract, fell through when Palace decided against allowing the switch after a prospective replacement, Igor Julio from Brighton, could not be secured.

Following Guehi's unsuccessful move, tensions between Glasner and Parish escalated. Reports suggested that Glasner, whose own contract was also approaching its end, had threatened to resign if Guehi's transfer to Merseyside proceeded.

Frustration grew for Glasner as Palace appeared inclined to allow player exits rather than focus on strengthening a squad preparing for their inaugural European campaign, which would entail a minimum of six additional league fixtures.

This internal strife created noticeable tension at Selhurst Park.

Surviving the civil war at Selhurst Park

By mid-season, Crystal Palace was engulfed in crisis. This time, the responsibility fell squarely on the club's internal management rather than external factors.

During a dismal spell from December through January, Palace faced a 12-game winless streak across all competitions, causing them to slip from the Premier League's top five into relegation contention.

Their hopes for a successful Conference League campaign also hung precariously as they entered the play-offs after failing to secure a top-eight finish.

The season's nadir occurred in early January when they suffered a historic FA Cup upset at the hands of non-league Macclesfield.

Less than two weeks later, Glasner added to the drama by announcing his intention to depart the club at the season's conclusion. This decision was made after Palace consented to sell Guehi to Manchester City, prompting Glasner to publicly express his discontent with Parish and the club's hierarchy for "completely" abandoning his side.

"The way in which his departure was announced—and the attitude displayed in those weeks—cast a slight shadow over my feelings towards him," remarked Ellie Killick from the Crystal Palace fanzine Eagle Eye View.

"In January, it was difficult to support Palace."

At this juncture, it seemed unlikely that Glasner would complete the season, having inadvertently instigated a civil conflict at Selhurst Park.

However, Parish recognized Glasner's strengths—a manager whose emotional investment sometimes clouded judgement, but undeniably the club’s most successful figure to date.

Reports suggest that the possibility of dismissing Glasner rarely crossed Parish's mind, which ultimately proved to be a decision that significantly altered Palace's trajectory.

'A good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book'

As Glasner took his final bow at Selhurst Park following the last Premier League match of the season, he ensured he had a moment to make light of his prior disagreements with Parish.

"Now I'm leaving, I don’t have to agree with the chairman," he quipped with a grin. "He mentioned that the FA Cup final was the best day, but I don’t agree. The best day is still to come in Leipzig."

This playful exchange underscored the optimism surrounding Palace as they prepared for their first European final—a stark contrast to the uncertainty experienced at the beginning of the year.

The triumph in the Conference League final, which secures Palace a place in next season's Europa League, marks the concluding chapter of Glasner's tenure with the Eagles.

"Right now, I can't even believe this is my last game," Glasner reflected after the final whistle on Wednesday. "It is a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other good chapters will follow.

"I told the players after the FA Cup: go and seize what you deserve—the Europa League.

"Now, with a one-year delay, the club, fans, and players have navigated a winding path to reach this point, and now Crystal Palace is where it rightfully belongs."

Killick added: "Glasner has fundamentally altered the course of Crystal Palace Football Club.

"Prior to his arrival, we were content with mid-table finishes and modest cup runs, but never realized our full potential.

"Over the past 12 months, we have won three trophies and embarked on a European journey—something that seemed unattainable just 18 months ago.

"Palace has experienced a rotation of managers over the past decade, yet none has achieved the heights Glasner has taken us to.

"The next manager will face immense expectations, and I sincerely hope that our ambition does not depart alongside him."

Crystal Palace supporters are experiencing a period of unprecedented success.