Nothing in football is ever certain, but Crystal Palace do know that Oliver Glasner will leave his managerial post when his contract runs out at the end of the season.
The Austrian coach has changed lives at Selhurst Park, replacing Roy Hodgson and changing Palace's outlook. Progressive, front-footed football is one thing, but Glasner gave the club something tangible, winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield in 2025, opening a doorway into European competition.
But there's no question that the mood has soured somewhat over the past few months, with sterile performances threatening progress and adding to a sense of unease that spread during the January transfer window.
Though Jorgen Strand Larsen was signed for a club-record fee, more is needed this summer, and chairman Steve Parish will need to pick the right replacement too.
The latest on Palace's hunt for a manager
Crystal Palace are resigned to the fact that Glasner's contract will expire this summer, but that doesn't necessarily mean he will last the duration of the term.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner looks dejected after the match
A shocking downturn in form has pulled Palace onto the edge of a relegation battle in the Premier League, though they are still in a comparatively strong position, eight points ahead of 18th-place West Ham United.
However, Parish considered the Austrian's position in January after he unilaterally announced he would be leaving. With one in all competitions since December 11.
Should Palace look for a swift solution, they might be tempted to appoint Thomas Frank, who has recently been sacked from his post at Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank reacts-1
According to reports last week, the former Brentford manager is a leading contender to replace Glasner, and if he's willing to make a sharp turn back into Premier League management after an ignomonious spell with Spurs, the Eagles could provide him with the perfect platform.
Why Thomas Frank could be a success at Palace
It's fair to say that Frank is not the flavour of the month in the Premier League. There's no escaping from the fact that his tenure at Tottenham was a disaster, but he is a great coach and demonstrated that over many years with Brentford.
Thomas Frank record at Spurs (timeless)
Last season, he was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Year after recording a tenth-place finish, ending with 56 points.
Now led by Keith Andrews, Brentford are riding the crest of a wave, but they are supported by the foundations cemented and the culture instilled by his predecessor, who leading football writer Henry Winter praised for his "remarkable" work in west London.
Praised for taking the time to work with his players at Brentford and bring out their finest form, Frank might just find that Selhurst Park is the perfect place for him to resurrect his career, and Strand Larsen could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Dane's expertise.
Strand Larsen, 25, is a tall and powerful forward, adept in the air. He fell by the wayside at the Wolves spearhead this season before his £48m transfer to south London, but a two-goal display against Burnley last time out reminded everyone that this is a player who struck 15 home for the Old Gold last year.
Jorgen Strand Larsen vs Burnley
Match Stats
Minutes played
Goals
Touches
Shots (on target)
Accurate passes
Chances created
Dribbles
Interceptions
Ground duels
Aerial duels
Data via Sofascore
His playing style isn't too far removed from that of Ivan Toney, the English striker who enjoyed such riches on the pitch with Frank's Brentford.
Toney scored 72 goals under Frank's wing, more than any other player, and in just 141 games at that. A strong and intelligent striker, he threaded the attacking system together, and Strand Larsen could emulate that role at Palace.
Jorgen Strand Larsen for Crystal Palace
Indeed, last season, pundit Alan Shearer hailed Strand Larsen as a "nuisance" of a frontman who boasts deceptive technical quality and is immense in his hold-up play.
He's got all he needs to succeed at the club, but with Frank at the helm, he might just go that one step further.
Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton Related
[After leaving Crysal Palace: "World-class" star is worth more than Eze & Wharton](https://www.footballfancast.com/after-leaving-crystal-palace-olise-worth-more-than-wharton-eze/ "After leaving Crysal Palace: "World-class" star is worth more than Eze & Wharton")
Crystal Palace have had some top players in recent years, and this former star may take the cake.