Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will leave Crystal Palace when his contract expires this summer. The announcement closes a remarkable chapter that reshaped the club’s modern identity.
The 51-year-old departs as a transformative figure at Selhurst Park. Most notably, he delivered Palace’s first major trophy with a historic FA Cup triumph at the end of the 2024/25 season when the Eagles defeated Manchester City in the final.
That Wembley victory over City altered expectations permanently. Consequently, Palace tasted European football for the first time in their history.
Glasner also guided the Eagles through the Community Shield, beating Liverpool on penalties. Those moments elevated him from appointment to icon in south London.
Despite success, clarity arrived months earlier than fans realised. Glasner revealed he informed chairman Steve Parish in October of his decision.
A decision made in silence as Palace balanced ambition and stability
The choice, according to Glasner, was mutual and carefully managed. Both parties agreed confidentiality best served the club during a demanding season.
“I told him I will not sign a new contract,” Glasner explained calmly. Importantly, he stressed the timing was about stability, not secrecy.
Meanwhile, Palace’s landscape shifted rapidly behind the scenes. Captain Marc Guehi’s move to Manchester City edged closer during the same period.
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Glasner insisted the defender’s departure did not influence his own decision. Still, the timing of both announcements intensified an already emotional week. He addressed the squad privately at the Beckenham training ground. That meeting, just before noon, confirmed his exit in June.
Glasner had hoped Guehi would remain until season’s end.However, he accepted the club’s decision once the agreement was finalised.
Legacy, turbulence, and the final push toward a historic finish
Glasner inherited a fragile Palace side in February 2024. At that point, they hovered nervously near the Premier League’s lower reaches.Within months, belief followed. A 10th-place finish laid the platform for the unforgettable FA Cup run. His first full season delivered silverware and continental football.
Palace currently sit 13th and are winless in nine matches. That sequence includes a stunning FA Cup defeat to non-league Macclesfield. Nevertheless, Glasner remains defiant and forward-looking. He insists standards have improved compared to the same stage last season.
“I’m just looking for a new challenge,” he said. Crucially, he denied speaking to other clubs. However, links to Manchester United continue to swirl. Still, Glasner maintains his focus rests entirely on Palace.
He has pledged maximum commitment until the final whistle. His stated aim is the club’s highest-ever points tally. European ambitions also remain alive as Palace face Zrinjski in the Conference League knockout play-off.
Administrative demotion from the Europa League still stings, with UEFA’s ruling, upheld by CAS, reshaping Palace’s continental journey.
Despite setbacks, Glasner believes the club is well positioned. He sees strong leadership and shared ambition within the hierarchy.
“Football gives you the highest highs and lowest lows,” he reflected. Few managers embodied that truth at Palace quite like him.
Tags: Oliver Glasner, Crystal Palace, FA Cup, #CPFC, Marc Guehi, #MCFC, Selhurst Park, Manchester City.
