Crystal Palace are believed to be eyeing a title-winning former Leeds United and Aston Villa forward as their next manager, according to a new report.
Palace set sights on Oliver Glasner replacement after exit confirmed
Oliver Glasner, arguably the club's greatest ever manager, will be leaving when his contract expires this summer. That much has been known for months.
The Austrian confirmed in January that he would walk away from Selhurst Park at the end of the season, choosing not to renew his contract after two years in charge.
Oliver-Glasner-Man-Utd
The parting of ways was always coming. The only question was whether it would happen in the summer — or sooner.
For a period last week, it looked very much like sooner.
One win in 15 games across all competitions. Supporters chanting for their manager to be sacked during a limp 1-1 draw in Bosnia against Zrinjski Mostar. A man who told the world he was "just not good enough" to replace the players sold in the transfer window.
The atmosphere around Selhurst Park had turned poisonous, and serious talks took place over whether Glasner could survive to the summer at all.
Then came two home wins in quick succession.
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Steve Parish and the board are adamant.
A late Evann Guessand strike to beat Wolves in the Premier League, followed by a controlled 2-0 victory over Zrinjski on Thursday night that sent Palace through to the last 16 of the Conference League 3-1 on aggregate.
Back-to-back wins for the first time since December. The heat, for now, has dissipated.
Glasner spoke after their Conference League triumph in characteristically candid fashion, acknowledging his recent media outbursts had not helped anyone.
"Maybe I gave some interviews which were not really helpful, I have to admit," he said.
But he was equally clear on his standing at the club, claiming he had received "100% assurance" from the board and that his relationship with players, staff and chairman Steve Parish remained intact.
It looks increasingly he will see this out until June, so that appears settled for now.
In the background, Palace are considering a host of new managers after Glasner, with Thomas Frank, Gareth Southgate and Sean Dyche having all been linked with the role recently.
Crystal-Palace-Glasner
Reports suggest Palace have contacted Southgate, who made 129 appearances for the Eagles as a player, while Frank is believed to be a frontrunner for the job.
Dyche is also reportedly to be keen on joining Palace, though he isn't top of their priority list.
Crystal Palace eye Robbie Keane as next manager
However, according to talkSPORT journalist Ben Jacobs, the south Londoners are considering ex-Tottenham, Leeds, Aston Villa, Celtic and West Ham striker Robbie Keane for the post.
Robbie Keane
In a piece for GiveMeSport, Jacobs reports that Palace have their eyes on Keane as a potential new manager target.
The Republic of Ireland legend, who enjoyed his most iconic spells at Spurs and LA Galaxy, has been quietly building a reputation as one of the more promising young managers in Europe.
Keane, 45, took charge of Hungarian side Ferencvaros in January 2025 and wasted no time in making his mark, guiding the club to their league title in his first season.
On Thursday night, his side came from behind to beat Ludogorets 2-1 and progress 3-2 on aggregate in the Europa League — the same evening Palace were securing their own Conference League passage.
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His record at the club stands at 38 wins from 65 games, with 145 goals scored. Free-flowing, attacking football is his trademark.
Keane also won a league title at Maccabi Tel Aviv in Isreal, so his trophy cabinet is already stacking.
Sources close to Keane believe he will leave Ferencvaros in the summer, though they have been clear that any mid-season switch would be a surprise — the Irishman wants to see the season through and attempt back-to-back titles in Hungary.
For Palace, that timeline fits perfectly with their own transition.
Keane has attracted interest elsewhere. Tottenham have discussed him as a potential candidate, though Roberto De Zerbi and Mauricio Pochettino are considered higher up their list of priorities.
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Celtic are tracking him too ahead of Martin O'Neill's summer exit.
His preferred formation — a 3-5-2 — bears similarities to the structure Glasner has used at Palace, which could ease any transition significantly.
After two years of genuine progress, one FA Cup, one Community Shield and now a Conference League last 16 to their name, the Eagles will want to build on the foundations laid, and Keane could just be the man to do it.
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Crystal Palace are questioning whether they should sack Glasner before his contract expires this summer.