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Oliver Glasner talks winning Conference League and closing chapter as Crystal Palace manager

Oliver Glasner talks winning the 2026 Conference League Final and closing the chapter as manager of Crystal Palace.

What a fitting way to end his time as manager, incredibly, he leaves having won three trophies in just over two years, having also won the FA Cup and the Community Shield in 2025.

They qualified for the Europa League last summer, but following their FA Cup Final win, but were demoted to Europe’s third-rate competition after being penalised for breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

But after winning the Conference League final, it means qualification to the Europa League, ‘where they should be’ according to Glasner.

He won’t be in charge of the club next season, but his replacement could be Andoni Iraola, who recently departed AFC Bournemouth, having guiding them to a 6th place finish, his side also qualifying for the Europa League.

And if it isn’t Iraola, Palace also have eyes on Frank Lampard, who won the Championship title for the 2025/26 season.

According to BBC Sport‘s Sami Mokbel: “Crystal Palace expect formal decision from Andoni Iraola in coming days after making proposal to Spaniard to become new head coach. Frank Lampard an option if Iraola declines.”

But Sky Sports News claims Andoni Iraola’s talks with AC Milan aren’t progressing, but it is understood Iraola is interested in joining Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, said to TNT Sports, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “The game was how we expected but I think we played an incredible 15 minutes after half-time. We defended so well at the end. A fantastic evening, this group of players and fans deserve it.

“I see myself as part of the group. As a manager, you cannot do anything alone. You need great staff and especially you need great players and people. This is what this group is. They always stick together and work hard. Since day one, we have created the mindset that everything is possible if you work hard.

“In the end, it’s the players’ responsibility to take advantage of everything you get offered. On Monday, I think it was 34 degrees in London – I think I left at 17:00, JP [Mateta] and Mitchell had just come back from the Cryo chamber. That shows the mindset of the players; they are investing so much and that is why we can lift another trophy.”

Absolute scenes as Crystal Palace win their first ever European final

On his time at the club: “It has meant a lot. I was talking to the players in the meeting today – you hear the fans thanking us for giving them the best day of their lives and I said thank you to the players because it is the same for me. The players and fans give me and my family, who are here today, great days in our lives. That is what I really appreciate.

“The players always listened to me, supported me, trusted in me and believed in what I told them. I can be very demanding. A huge thank you to the players and all of the staff and of course all of the fans. I don’t know how many have travelled from England here but I think they will have a great party and we will join them.

“Right now I can’t even believe it is the last game. It is a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other good chapters will follow. I said to the players after the FA Cup, go and get what you deserve, the Europa League. Now with a one year delay, the club, fans, players, sometimes you have to take a road around and now Crystal Palace is where it should be.”

Glasner said, as per ESPN: “I can’t even believe this was my last game. I took this decision [to leave Palace]. It’s a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other chapters will follow. I said to the players, get now what you deserved after winning the FA Cup.

“It [Europa League] was one year delayed. The club, fans and players got what they deserve. Sometimes, you have to take a roundabout way, and now Crystal Palace is where they should be.”

In his final press conference as Palace manager, Glasner said even “the best magician couldn’t work without the players.

“I just guided this group of players and the staff and I supported them and I said, ‘Really, this isn’t because it’s my 100% conviction’ I can’t do anything [without the players],” he told reporters. “I could be the best magician [but] that wouldn’t work without the players.

“And so it’s all the players deserve all the credit because they have to listen, they have to trust me and myself and the staff, of course.

“They have to work very hard and I think every player will tell you that I’m very demanding. So if things don’t go how I think they should go, or if players probably drop the standard by one or 2%, I can’t accept it.

“[The last] press conference and I would like to thank you, especially all the English [journalists] who were on maybe all 120 press conferences. So thank you for asking not too stupid questions and also always listening to my European accent and yeah, thank you very much and the thing we could deliver is that you can travel in Europe next season as well.

“So like the players, hopefully you have extended your visa already. Hopefully you will sit and write about [Palace in] the next final next year. Thank you very much.”

Here’s how fans reacted as Oliver Glasner talks winning the Conference League and closing the chapter as Crystal Palace manager…

@ExBBCcharlie: Glasner you fucking legend. 50 years I’ve supported #CPFC lows, lows, the occasional high. But 3 trophies in 12 months will never happen again. Cheers, Oliver…

@NotSlotaClue: Oliver Glasner why are you leaving this? Look what you’ve built. #CPFC

@CPFCmollett: Oliver Glasner why won’t you stay 😭look at what you’ve achieved with us. Three trophies in the space of a year. European winners. Europa League next year #CPFC

@todwellscat: It’s a wrap. Trips to Fredrikstad, Larnaca, Fiorentina, Krakow and Leipzig done. Another trophy in the cabinet. The most incredible journey. Very sad to see Glasner and Daichi waving goodbye last night. End of an era but hopefully a new one about to begin. #cpfc

@KrisWall92: I don’t think Glasner will get enough credit for winning the FA cup and then conference league (without getting relegated from the prem). I don’t think it’s a given Brighton win it next year either. Chelsea don’t really count and West Ham was a huge achievement at the time. #cpfc

@JPonpolitics: 🦅🦅❤️🦅 statue for Glasner. Stand for Parish. It’s obvious! Isn’t it? 💙 #cpfc #coyp 💙

@BobbyCPFC: This might be the last time we see Wharton, Kamada, Mateta, Glasner. But what a time it’s been, couldn’t be happier rn #cpfc

@BrakePaul: We need a statue for Glasner.. literally had no trophies in our whole history before he came and now we have 3… #cpfc

@AnnieRexic80: Couldn’t be more proud to be a Palace fan right now! Thank you super Oli Glasner for all you’ve done for the club, thanks to every player who put their hearts & souls into every game & love to my red & blue family!!! ❤️💙❤️💙 #CPFC #UEFAConferenceLeagueWinners #CrystalPalaceFC

@Dazzaedwardo: Wow wow fucking wow! What a fucking club! Oliver Glasner, I’ll love you forever! European fucking champions! #cpfc

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