Oliver Glasner Set to Leave Crystal Palace at the End of the Season
What has been discussed for a long time now appears certain: Oliver Glasner will not extend his contract with Crystal Palace and is expected to leave the club at the end of the season. The German manager, whose deal expires next summer, has officially rejected Palace’s offer of a new contract, bringing an end to a highly successful period at the club.
Crystal Palace must now begin preparing for a future under new leadership. Glasner’s decision did not come suddenly; tensions had been building for months. During the summer, he was already close to leaving the club after Palace rejected Liverpool’s offer for Marc Guéhi, despite Glasner’s strong push to reject the bid. Media reports at the time highlighted his growing dissatisfaction with the club’s ambition and strategic direction.
Instead of signing new players and developing the squad, Palace was close to selling Guehi to Liverpool and leaving the team with a huge gap. Oliver Glasner was close to leaving Palace in the summer.
That disagreement proved decisive. Glasner openly questioned the way the club was being run and made it clear that the sporting project no longer aligned with his vision. He wanted a stronger squad, having won the FA Cup and Community Shield with no sale of key players and clear progress—conditions he felt the club was unable or unwilling to meet. Months after the Guéhi transfer was blocked, Glasner formally rejected Palace’s contract extension offer.
Oliver Glasner’s trophies and successes at Crystal Palace– The most successful period in the club’s modern history
Despite the internal conflict, Glasner’s achievements at Crystal Palace are significant. Under his leadership, the club won the FA Cup last season and followed that success by lifting the Community Shield in August after defeating Liverpool. This season also marked Palace’s first-ever appearance in European competition, as they competed in the UEFA Conference League.
This season for Crystal Palace– Europe (Conference League), Premier League and EFL Cup elimination
However, Palace’s European campaign exposed the squad’s limitations. The club finished 10th in the Conference League group stage with 10 points, failing to avoid the first knockout round.
Their results included an away win against Dynamo Kyiv (0–2), victories over AZ Alkmaar at home and Shelbourne away (0–3), defeats to AEK Larnaca and Strasbourg, and a 2–2 draw with KuPS. Their presence in the Conference League has cost the team heavily on other fronts.
Domestically, Palace’s form has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks. Since the injury to Daniel Muñoz, the team has looked disjointed and unrecognisable. Heavy defeats to Manchester City and Leeds were followed by a loss to Tottenham in the Premier League, where Palace failed to seriously threaten. Elimination by Arsenal on penalties in the EFL Cup further deepened the crisis.
Even more concerning than the results has been the level of performance. The tactical approach built around defensive solidity, with Mateta and Sarr carrying the attacking responsibility, has collapsed. With Sarr absent due to the Africa Cup of Nations, Palace have struggled badly, exposing the lack of attacking depth and flexibility in Glasner’s system.
Upcoming Premier League fixtures:
The upcoming fixtures only increase the pressure. Matches against Newcastle away, Fulham, and Aston Villa could define the club’s short-term future, with the possibility of multiple defeats posing a serious threat. After that, Palace face Macclesfield in the FA Cup, followed by a congested Premier League schedule.
It has become increasingly clear that Crystal Palace cannot sustain an entire season relying on defensive discipline alone. The absence of key players (Sarr, Munoz) and the lack of offensive-oriented options have contributed to Palace’s downfall.
Glasner’s frustration has been visible, and his decision not to renew his contract confirmed what was already known. There is a disagreement between the manager and the club. It is about ambitions and trophies that Oliver Glasner has brought to the club. He wasn’t more than what the club is providing, so the departure was imminent. It just had to happen
Crystal Palace are now facing a difficult second half of the season. With Glasner set to depart, confidence is low, performances are declining, and the club is no longer viewed as a favourite in matches it once controlled. Palace risks a turbulent and potentially disastrous conclusion to the campaign.
Glasner delivered success and trophies. Glasner’s legacy at Palace:
- Won the FA Cup
- Lifted the Community Shield after defeating Liverpool
- Qualified for European football for the first time in this century
- Competed in the UEFA Conference League
- Banned from the Europa League- due to the multiple club ownership
Palace finished 10th in their Conference League group stage, securing 10 points and failing to avoid the preliminary knockout round.
They were knocked out by Arsenal in the EFL Cup quarter-finals on penalties.
The injury to Daniel Muñoz and Sarr’s absence due to AFCON removed the system’s balance entirely.
The results speak clearly:
- Heavy defeat to Manchester City
- Four goals conceded against Leeds
- Passive loss to Tottenham
- EFL Cup elimination by Arsenal on penalties
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