No worries: Oliver Glasner
The Eagles qualified for the Europa League by winning last season’s FA Cup, but were demoted to the Conference League after UEFA ruled they had fallen foul of multi-club ownership rules due to John Textor’s stake in Eagle Football Holdings and Lyon.
“We are waiting for the final decision, but we still are confident that we will be successful and that we will play Europa League,” he told Sky Sports. “August 11, we will know the decision and then we will start to prepare for Europe.”
He continued, saying that the uncertainty surrounding next season has not impacted pre-season preparations: “We didn’t really talk about it. We were focusing on the things we could influence, and we have no influence over the decision from UEFA, we don't have influence on the decision from CAS, now, so it makes no sense to be thinking about it.
“We are focused on what we have to do on the pitch, how to create this spirit again in the group, this togetherness, this commitment, and this is what we are doing day by day.”
Regardless of the decision, though, he expects another successful campaign. A first opportunity for silverware will come on August 10, when they face Liverpool at Wembley Stadium in the Community Shield.
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“We want to play Community Shield, we want to play European football, so this is the reward for last season. It is not the punishment, it is a reward.
“If we see it like this, and we do see it like this, then I don’t see any issues why we can’t play another very successful season again.”
He maintained, however, that fresh signings will be required if Palace are to compete both in Europe and domestically. Full-back Borna Sosa and goalkeeper Walter Benitez are the Eagles’ only additions of the summer so far.
“Why waiting for two months? [Our transfer business] could be done quicker, but again, I have no influence. It is just my opinion. It is a waste of energy to complain too much about it, so I focus on the players who are here to prepare them in the best possible way. Everything else is not in my influence.”