Crystal Palace: Glasner Seals Chapter In European Success

Oliver Glasner signed off as Crystal Palace head coach with a historic UEFA Conference League final win, and believes the club will create more special memories without Glasner. Palace beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig on Wednesday, sealing a third major trophy in just over two years under the Austrian manager.

The victory also reshaped England’s European picture. Palace will enter the 2026-27 Europa League, becoming the ninth Premier League side confirmed in UEFA competitions for that season. Their success arrives one year after being excluded from Europe due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules.

Palace had originally been set to play Europa League football this season. That place was removed following the multi-club rules breach, with Nottingham Forest taking their slot and later losing in the Conference League semi-finals. Glasner felt this latest triumph corrected that setback and restored Palace’s European position.

Glasner explained that the squad responded to a clear challenge following this year’s domestic cup success. Glasner said: "I said to the players after the FA Cup, 'go and get what you deserve, the Europa League'. Now, with a one-year delay... sometimes you have to take a long road around, but Crystal Palace is where it should be."

Across Glasner’s tenure, Palace collected three trophies: the 2025 FA Cup, the 2025 Community Shield and this season’s Conference League. That run transformed the honours list for a club whose most notable previous successes were second-tier titles in 1978-79 and 1993-94, during the first 119 years of Crystal Palace history.

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The latest European win placed Glasner in a small group of managers. Glasner became only the second coach to claim a major European title in a final match in charge of a Premier League club, following Maurizio Sarri’s 2019 Europa League success with Chelsea. Palace also became the third English side to win a major European trophy in their debut continental season.

Those earlier examples came from different eras. West Ham lifted the Cup Winners Cup in 1964-65 during their first significant European campaign, while Newcastle United captured the Fairs Cup in 1968-69. Palace have now matched that achievement by winning the Conference League at the first attempt in major UEFA competition.

Crystal Palace domestic form and campaign context

Palace’s European charge contrasted with a challenging Premier League campaign. The team finished 15th in the 2025-26 table, which stands as the second-lowest league placing for any side winning a major European trophy in the same season. Only Tottenham’s 17th-place finish in 2024-25 ranks lower under that specific measure.

Glasner’s final season therefore contained sharp highs and lows at Selhurst Park. The manager guided Palace through a demanding schedule while also securing silverware. The Conference League final in Leipzig brought the story to a successful conclusion, with a narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano decided by disciplined defence and a single decisive goal.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner reflects

Glasner described the emotional impact of this period on both personal and professional levels, highlighting the role played by the fanbase. Glasner told TNT Sports: "It has meant a lot. I was talking to the players in the meeting you hear fans thanking us for giving them the best days 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 familywho are here great days in our lives. That is what I really appreciate."

The outgoing coach underlined the strength of the relationship with the dressing room and staff during Glasner’s time in south London. Glasner said: "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 staff, and, of course, the fans. I don't know how many have travelled from England, 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."

Glasner’s departure leaves Palace with a strengthened European profile and a recent record of success. The club moves forward with a new trophy, a Europa League place for 2026-27 and proof of competitive progress. Supporters now await the next manager, with expectations shaped by Glasner’s trophy wins and steady European impact.