On a dismal night in Bosnia when Crystal Palace fans were caged like animals, it was clear that they had abandoned their loyalty towards Oliver Glasner. The fairytale of an FA Cup-winning 2024-25 campaign is now a distant memory for most supporters.
It didn’t have to be this way, and shouldn’t have got to this stage of untenability. Yet, nine months on from the greatest day in the club’s history, Glasner is headed for the chopping block.
Palace had the chance to dismiss the Austrian when he called out the higher-ups during the January transfer window. He was well within his rights to question their vision for the club.
Delayed the inevitable
Glasner delivered the most successful season in the Eagles’ history last year. An FA Cup triumph and a 12th-place finish were the stuff of dreams. Most neutral fans fell in love with the story of the South Londoners’ rise and their famous 1-0 win over Manchester City at Wembley.
Football changes in the blink of an eye, and the adoration the Holmesdale End once had for their manager is now non-existent. Chants of “we want Glasner out” and “getting sacked in the morning” were prevalent throughout Palace’s latest setback.
A 1-1 draw away to Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar has well and truly pushed Glasner towards the exit door. His failure to work out low blocks and the sluggish performances from his men are a sight for sore eyes.
Ismaila Sarr gave the visitors the lead with a fine finish just before half-time. A slip-up from Adam Wharton allowed Mostar to counter and equalise through Karlo Abramovic.
It was a damning night for Glasner, who has now overseen just one win in Palace’s last fifteen games across competitions. The lack of form is shambolic, but the performances that have come with it are unforgivable.
Glasner’s already gone
Palace are persevering with a manager who has already confirmed he is leaving the club when his contract expires in June. His players are playing under a coach who they know won’t be in charge when the summer transfer window opens.
The 51-year-old said he decided to reveal his plans to give the squad and the fans clarity on the situation. All it has done is create tension and uncertainty over the Eagles’ future.
Palace were one of the most enjoyable teams to watch in the Premier League last season. They are making the case for being the worst this time around.
The mood at Selhurst Park is at rock bottom, and in the 15 games that have brought just one win, there has been no sign of a turnaround. The end of Glasner’s reign was meant to end on a high note, but he’s going out on a whimper.
Ignoring the noise
Glasner’s frustrations were on show at Bijeli Brijeg Stadium, including after the full-time whistle. He gave several troops a piece of his mind.
The Austrian didn’t look like a general but rather a man out of his depth with a realisation that his Palace spell had turned sour. He chose not to acknowledge the chants from supporters regarding his job and their desire for him to be sacked.
Glasner instead thanked the fans almost out of pity during his post-match press conference:
“Thank you very much for your support. Great support from the stands. I hoped they enjoyed the travelling and now it’s Wolves and Mostar at home. It’s time to get more wins, not just the one at Brighton, and this is what we are aiming for.”
Glasner hasn’t just the lost the fans but also his reputation as one of Europe’s most highly-admired tacticians. No longer are Manchester United viewing him as the ideal permanent Ruben Amorim replacement.
It would be unfathomable for Palace to lose on Sunday (February 22nd) when they host bottom side Wolverhampton Wanderers at Selhurst. The unthinkable happens and Steve Parish has no choice but to part ways in the most bitter way imaginable.
