Look after him properly, and Oliver Glasner could go down as the greatest manager in Crystal Palace’s history. But, true to form, Palace’s knack for turning gold into trouble almost derailed what should have been an incredible start to his tenure.
Glasner took over from Roy Hodgson halfway through the 2023/24 season, with Palace struggling after a slow start. It didn’t take long for his impact to show—his brand of attractive, engrossing football immediately put the grim days of Hodgson’s pragmatic tactics behind us. In the final seven games of the season, during the last seven games, only Manchester City in all of Europe finished with a better record. While City won their last seven, Palace went six wins and a draw, a remarkable turnaround.
However, as is often the case with the Palace, ‘off-field challenges’ quickly piled up. Glasner walked into a club that doesn’t have the financial muscle of the Premier League’s big hitters. Fans regularly gripe about late deals and bargain hunting in the transfer market, but the reality is Palace can’t afford to splash cash like others. Even so, when you’ve got a gem like Glasner, you have to show some ambition. The club completely botched the transfer window, with key players like Joachim Andersen rumoured to be on their way out unsettling the squad. To top it off, it seemed the club was content to gamble until the last minute on reinforcements.
The results of this mismanagement were as predictable as they were disappointing. After ending 2023/24 in scintillating form, Palace opened the 2024/25 campaign with a miserable run—just three points from the first eight games. Fans who had dared to dream of a first-ever European qualification were left disillusioned, and the “plastics” on fan forums quickly turned on Glasner. Predictable if nothing else.
To his credit, Glasner kept his cool, but he didn’t shy away from calling out the club’s shortcomings. He pointed out the obvious: when you sign players late in the transfer window, it’s impossible to integrate them properly or get them match fit in time to make an immediate impact. It’s a fair criticism and one that fans should have supported rather than using as a stick to beat him with.
Despite the rough start, Glasner has once again proven his quality. Over the last ten games, Palace have been sixth in the form table, playing football worthy of European qualification. Players like Ismaïla Sarr and Will Hughes have transformed from Championship quality to standout Premier League performers. Jean-Philippe Mateta is starting to look like a world-class forward. And all of this has been achieved despite injuries to key players like Adam Wharton and Eberechi Eze struggling to find top form.
For once, it seems like the board might finally be learning their lesson. The early purchase of young Millwall prospect Esse for £12.5 million suggests a shift toward a more proactive transfer strategy. It’s a small but encouraging sign that chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman may be realizing you can’t leave your manager hanging out to dry if you want to succeed in the Premier League.
The danger now is that other clubs will start circling. Glasner was reportedly approached by Bayern Munich during the summer, and who could blame him for considering it after the rocky start to the season? If Palace don’t support him properly, they risk losing one of the most exciting managerial talents in Europe.
Had the club given Glasner the backing he deserved last summer, Palace might already be in the hunt for European football this season. Even now, it’s not impossible—but it feels like an opportunity missed. If the board had shown just a bit more ambition and foresight, Palace could have taken the leap from perennial survivors to genuine players on the European stage.
If they don’t wake up soon, Glasner could very well take his talents elsewhere—and that would be a disaster of Palace’s own making. For now, though, fans should enjoy the ride, because with Glasner at the helm, the future looks brighter than it has in years. Let’s just hope the board doesn’t squander it.
Can Oliver Glasner Become the Greatest Manager in Crystal Palace History?
For a long time Palace supporter, and someone who fondly remembers the Stevie Coppell era and was a season ticket holder for some of it, this question is no small matter. Coppell set a standard that feels almost mythical: building a team on a shoestring budget, leading us to a top three finish in the top flight of English football, reaching an FA Cup final, and securing a Full Members’ Cup win. For a club like Crystal Palace, these achievements are monumental, and Coppell’s unwavering loyalty to the club only cements his place in our hearts. He even temporarily morphed into Special Agent Coppell, taking over the enemy in Brighton for a brief stint and dragging them up to Selhurst for a damn fine 5-0 hiding!
At Palace, we don’t demand greatness from every manager or player, but we do value integrity, and Coppell had that in abundance. Oliver Glasner, too, appears to be a man of principle, and it’s easy to draw a parallel between the two in terms of character. But football has changed drastically since Coppell’s time. The dominance of the wealthiest clubs has made it harder for smaller teams to break into the top echelon of English football, and Glasner faces an uphill battle to replicate, or surpass. Coppell’s legacy
One significant advantage Glasner has is his brand of football. While Coppell’s teams were built on discipline and grit, Glasner’s style is far more expansive and entertaining. Palace fans are witnessing a team that plays with flair, even after losing key players, most notably Michael Olise. Unlike Coppell’s time, where losing Wright signalled the end of an era, Glasner has adapted quickly, and the team looks as competitive as ever.
For Glasner to earn the title of Palace’s greatest manager, he would need to achieve something truly extraordinary. A top-seven finish and European qualification would be a strong start. Winning a domestic cup would elevate him further, and if he could guide Palace to a Europa League win, or even a significant run, that would unquestionably place him among the club’s legends.
However, greatness at Palace isn’t just about achievements; it’s also about loyalty. If Glasner were to leave for a bigger club the moment success came knocking, it would tarnish his legacy in the eyes of many fans. Palace supporters don’t begrudge ambition, but we revere those who stay the course, even when the going gets tough.
Coppell’s loyalty to Palace remains unmatched, and it’s why he holds such a special place on the pedestal of greatness. For Glasner to unseat him, it’s not just about trophies or league finishes—it’s about showing that same commitment to the club and its values.
What It Would Take to Be the Greatest? For Glasner to become Palace’s greatest-ever manager, he needs to achieve a combination of success and loyalty. A top-seven Premier League finish, a domestic cup victory, and perhaps a memorable European campaign would solidify his place in the conversation. But staying at the club and continuing to build something meaningful—rather than jumping ship for a bigger paycheck—would truly cement his legacy.
Until then, Steve Coppell remains the benchmark. His achievements, character, and commitment to Crystal Palace have made him a legend that is hard to rival. Glasner has the potential to join him, but only time will tell if he has the longevity, the success, and the loyalty to surpass the great Stevie Coppell.
For now, the challenge is set, and we will be watching Glasner’s journey with hopeful anticipation.
But the moral of the tale is that this all positive stuff, but at the Palace we hope for the best but expect the worst and for it all to go tits up, the Palace way.
The Rights of Fans. 