Should he stay or should he go now is the question being asked of Crystal Palace’s board. From FA Cup ecstasy to Conference League troubles, it’s a sorry ending to Oliver Glasner’s reign.
A 1-1 draw away to Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday night saw Glasner reach rock bottom. The result was embarrasing and the performance was pitiful.
Glasner will forever be remembered for overseeing the best day in Palace’s history. The celebrations at Wembley now feel like a long-distant memory, and a nightmare is occurring just nine months later.
The Austrian will be leaving the club, whether that be tomorrow, next week, next month or in June. He is ready to bid farewell to the South Londoners when his contract expires at the end of the season.
With that said, ReadCrystalPalace have assessed six potential replacements and ranked them based on suitability and past success. These aren’t factoring in the current odds, which have our least interesting option as the frontrunner.
6 – Robbie Keane
Kicking us off is Robbie Keane, who is the current favourite with the bookies. The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is currently in charge of Hungarian outfit Ferencvaros.
The Irish coach has impressed in Hungary, winning the Hungarian title last season. He could be a solid option to succeed Glasner, given that he often prefers a three-at-the-back system.
That said, Keane is still inexperienced, having only held two managerial jobs. His first role came at Maccabi Tel Aviv, where he also won the league title.
Keane does have a background in English coaching, having served as assistant manager at Middlesbrough and Leeds United. He isn’t exactly a glamorous appointment for Palace who ideally will be after a more high-profile name.
| Robbie Keane | Managerial Career |
|---|---|
| Teams Managed: | Maccabi Tel Aviv, Ferencvaros |
| Games Managed: | 121 |
| Wins: | 78 |
| Losses: | 21 |
| Preferred Formation: | 3-5-2 flat |
| Achievements: | Israeli Championship, Hungarian Championship |
5 – Frank Lampard
It’s hard not to applaud Frank Lampard’s work at Coventry City, where he has propelled the Sky Blues to the top of the Championship. The English manager’s reputation took a hit during his caretaker reign at Chelsea and his topsy-turvy spell at Everton.
Lampard worked under financial constraints and a difficult period at Goodison Park. He still managed to secure their Premier League status, but his English top-flight resume wouldn’t enthuse fans.
Palace have previously shown interest in Lampard, who looks likely to guide Coventry to promotion. Simon Jordan recently suggested the Eagles could recommence plans to move for the Englishman, but there’s no indication he’d want to leave his current club, especially if they reach the Premier League.
| Frank Lampard | Managerial Career |
|---|---|
| Teams Managed: | Derby County, Chelsea, Everton, Coventry |
| Games Managed: | 264 |
| Wins: | 119 |
| Losses: | 92 |
| Preferred Formation: | 4-2-3-1 |
| Achievements: | Champions League qualification, FA Cup runner-up |
4 – Gareth Southgate
A Palace homecoming for Gareth Southgate is perhaps the most interesting option for the South Londoners. The former England manager started his playing career at Selhurst Park and might be tempted to return to management with the Eagles.
Southgate’s success during his nearly eight-year reign as Three Lions boss is a hot topic of debate. Some argue he possessed a squad that should have won a major trophy.
It’s worth pointing out that the former Middlesbrough manager took over a beleaguered English national team. He put his faith in youth, and he’d be working under a similar structure at Palace.
| Gareth Southgate | Managerial Career |
|---|---|
| Teams Managed: | Middlesbrough, England |
| Games Managed: | 287 |
| Wins: | 138 |
| Losses: | 85 |
| Preferred Formation: | 4-3-3 |
| Achievements: | 2x European Championship runner-up |
3 – Thomas Frank
Taking the Tottenham Hotspur job has proven to be a poisoned chalice in recent years. That was the case for Thomas Frank, who decided to try his luck at one of the ‘big six’ and failed miserably.
That’s why Frank is currently available after he was sacked by Spurs, who sit 16th, three places below Palace. Putting his troubles in North London to one side, he was a massive success at Brentford, where he secured Premier League promotion and established the Bees as a tough mid-table outfit.
Frank does have a pragmatic style, but there are similarities with Glasner. He has a point to prove after his Lilywhites disaster, and he is the most attainable option on the list.
| Thomas Frank | Managerial Career |
|---|---|
| Teams Managed: | Brondby, Brentford, Tottenham |
| Games Managed: | 495 |
| Wins: | 217 |
| Losses: | 164 |
| Preferred Formation: | 4-2-3-1 |
| Achievements: | Premier League promotion |
2 – Brendan Rodgers
It’s somewhat surprising how little speculation there is over Brendan Rodgers potentially replacing Glasner. The Northern Irish coach’s CV speaks for itself, with success in clubs just knocking on the door of the Premier League’s European qualification spots.
Rodgers delivered the FA Cup while in charge of Leicester City and dominated Scottish football not once, but twice with Celtic. He can be a polarising character, but he gets results, and that’s exactly what Palace need.
One of the most experienced candidates, with a strong reputation for bedding in youth. While he’s currently in charge of Saudi Pro League side Al Qasdiah, he’d surely be up for the job if the Eagles came calling.
| Brendan Rodgers | Managerial Career |
|---|---|
| Teams Managed: | Watford, Reading, Swansea, Liverpool, Celtic, Leicester, Al Qasdiah |
| Games Managed: | 825 |
| Wins: | 454 |
| Losses: | 215 |
| Preferred Formation: | 4-3-3 |
| Achievements: | FA Cup, Scottish Premiership 4x, Scottish Cup 3x, Scottish League Cup 4x |
1 – Cesc Fabregas
Steve Parish and the Palace board have a chance to make a statement when they replace Glasner. Appointing Cesc Fabregas would show ambition and truly mark a new era at Selhurst Park.
The Spaniard is one of Europe’s most highly admired tacticians, at the very start of his managerial career. He was instrumental in Como’s promotion to Serie A in 2024 and has since built on this, making them one of the most difficult teams to come up against in Italy.
Fabregas would implement an exciting possession-based brand of football, drawing inspiration from his former managers, Arsene Wenger and Pep Guardiola. He is in the running for the Palace job, and of all the names linked with the club, he is the most intriguing.
| Cesc Fabregas | Managerial Career |
|---|---|
| Clubs Managed: | Como |
| Games Managed: | 82 |
| Wins: | 34 |
| Losses: | 25 |
| Preferred Formation: | 4-2-3-1 |
| Achievements: | Serie A promotion |
