- Crystal Palace host Shakhtar Donetsk
- Joel Ward hails ‘exceptional’ Oliver Glasner
- Joleon Lescott also full of praise
Crystal Palace hero Joel Ward has given a glowing verdict of Oliver Glasner and what legacy he’ll leave behind at Selhurst Park. The Austrian departs in June, aiming to do so as a European champion.
Glasner’s men are one game away from a UEFA Conference League final. They face Shakhtar Donetsk in the second leg of the semi-final tonight, holding a 3-1 aggregate lead.
If Palace were to win the European trophy, it would follow last season’s FA Cup triumph. The manager is already the most successful in the club’s history but can add another winners’ medal to his remarkable reign.
‘Given Everything’ – Ward on Glasner
Ward spoke ahead of Palace’s encounter with Shakhtar and highlighted Glasner’s impact at Selhurst Park. He told TNT Sports that he leaves behind:
“A winning legacy. One thing I always remember the gaffer saying is about what you invest is what you get out. He’s someone who has given everything during his time at this club.“
Glasner has a special bond with the club’s fanbase despite the drama surrounding his January announcement of his departure. Ward pointed out his devotion to Palace:
“I think the fans will recognise that. His commitment, his dedication, his intensity and demand he puts on himself let alone the players is exceptional. I think when you have someone like that at the helm then it makes its way all the way through the club.“
He added:
“His dedication to the team is why those players respect him and sign him off with something the club has never won.”
Palace still need to get the job done and saw how tricky Shakhtar can be during the first leg. Glasner has put all talk of his future to one side and insisted that his job is to try and deliver a dream European trophy.
‘He’ll Cope’ Lescott Ranks Glasner
Joleon Lescott joined Ward on punditry duties for the night and the former Manchester City defender sung Glasner’s praises. When asked where the Austrian ranks among the elite managers in world football he responded:
“I think he’s probably just at the top of the bracket, just underneath that because it’s not the Champions League. Once he steps into that I’m sure he’ll be able to cope and manage a team at that level.”
Glasner already has a European trophy to his name after guiding Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022. Ward is spot on about the departing Palace boss being a winner, and hopefully, he oversees a win tonight and then in Leipzig.
