The future of Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace has become clearer in the last few weeks, but there is still a lack of clarity on the exact time frame for his departure from Selhurst Park.
So far, all we know for sure is that the Austrian manager will leave the club in the summer.
The sort of legacy he will be leaving is a curious one. Glasner should, and likely will, go down in Palace history after winning the FA Cup and the Community Shield during his time at the club, their first major trophies.
Yet, an odd turn of events has left his immediate future and his legacy up in the air.
Has Glasner burned his bridges at Palace?
It was announced just over a month ago that Glasner will depart Selhurst Park at the end of the campaign. There is no doubt that Palace’s results have been poorer this season, and, combined with the departures of key men Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, plus injury to Jean-Philippe Mateta, Glasner’s job has been made tough.
More recently, Glasner provided one of the strangest quotes from his recent press conferences.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner before the match
He claimed, “I am just not good enough to replace the players we sold. I am just not good enough to integrate the new players in a way that we can play the same way as we did. I am not good enough that we can cope with the schedule.”
That is surely as good an indication as any about how Glasner is feeling. The supporters have made their feelings known, too.
Oliver Glasner manager of Crystal Palace applauds the fans after the game
After another winless game, leaving them with one victory in 15, the travelling fans in the Conference League in the week were signing for their manager to be “sacked in the morning.”
He hit back at them by saying, “I would say the most important thing is stay humble. I think it's the same for the fans.” It is certainly a strange scenario, and it will be fascinating to see if Glasner does make it to the end of the season, which he seems keen to do.
Either way, his potential replacement is now firmly in Palace’s sights, it seems.
Crystal Palace eyeing up Glasner replacement
According to a recent report from talkSPORT, the man Steve Parish could be lining up to replace Glasner at Selhurst Park is former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane.
He is said to have ‘impressed the Eagles hierarchy’ during his stint managing Hungarian side Ferencvaros.
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The Eagles will be in need of a new manager soon.
He would certainly be joining off the back of some good managerial stints, albeit in leagues not considered one of the world’s most prominent.
He won the Israeli top flight with Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2023/24 and the Hungarian top flight with Ferencvaros last term.
robbie-keane
His record with his current club speaks for itself. Keane has managed 65 games so far, winning 38 and seeing his side score 145 times.
That certainly seems like free-flowing, attacking football, which must appeal to Palace fans.
Keane record at Ferencvaros
Stat
Games
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goals for
Goals against
Average top flight points per game
Stats from Transfermarkt
Another reason why Keane could make a good option, aside from his title-winning pedigree, is the fact that his preferred formation is a 3-5-2.
That is similar to Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 system, which has brought the club so much success. Tweaks would, of course, be needed, but the foundation of the squad would surely be able to adapt well.
Robbie Keane
The other manager linked with the job is recently-sacked Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank. Yet, there is a strong case to be made that Keane would be a better appointment for the club at the current stage.
Frank’s standing is certainly on the decline, and he has dragged the Lilywhites into a relegation battle.
Keane, on the other hand, has title-winning pedigree and has proven that he can play attacking football, which brings goals.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank before the match
Despite a rocky season, the Eagles have shown ambition under Glasner in the past, and it feels as though Keane could follow that on.
If he were to get the job over Frank, the Irishman would surely be a step forward, as they look to rebuild and aim for more success.
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