Analysis: Glasner turns Eagles into winners
Analysis: Glasner turns Eagles into winners
Chris McKenna - BBC Sport journalistThu, May 28, 2026 at 8:00 AM UTC
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Oliver Glasner, Manager of Crystal Palace lifts the Conference League Trophy.
It has been a turbulent campaign, but Oliver Glasner bows out in style and will go down as one of Crystal Palace's greatest managers.
They had never won a major trophy until last season's FA Cup success against Manchester City - and now have two in two seasons after this glorious night, while they also picked up the Community Shield by beating Liverpool.
Glasner and Palace's glory this term comes despite the loss of two key players - with Eberechi Eze sold to Arsenal last summer and Marc Guehi joining City in January.
The Austrian manager has undoubtedly helped Jean-Philippe Mateta take his game to another level - he had scored 11 goals in 80 games for Palace before Glasner's arrival in February 2024, but has netted 46 times in 110 matches under him.
Given the striker's importance in this final, the knee issue which blocked his move to Milan has proven to be a huge blessing for Palace.
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Mateta put the failed transfer behind him to win back the support of the Eagles' fans while also earning himself a spot in France's World Cup squad.
This victory was also down to the impressive Adam Wharton. It was his shot which helped create the winner, but he was brilliant in possession throughout - just a week on from the disappointment of missing out on England's World Cup squad.
Palace had chances to make it an easier night, but managed to see the game out comfortably enough and celebrated wildly at full-time after their 60th match of an exhausting, and difficult, campaign.
They were forced to drop down from the Europa League to Europe's third-tier competition because of ownership issues, then suffered a shock FA Cup exit to non-league Macclesfield and finished 15th in the Premier League.
But all that will be forgotten - and Palace will compete in Europe again as this victory guarantees Europa League football next season.
Palace are the second English team to win a European trophy this term - joining Europa League champions Aston Villa - and Arsenal will look to complete an unprecedented hat-trick against Paris St-Germain in the Champions League final on Saturday.
Source: “AOL Sports”
