Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace Future Hangs by a Thread After European Draw
A dejected Oliver Glasner faced the media on Friday morning, with his position as Crystal Palace manager under mounting pressure following a disappointing result in Europe. At times, he seemed to succumb to his fate, as a 1-1 draw away to Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar in the first leg of their Conference League play-off on Thursday extended Palace's poor run to just one win in 15 matches.
Fan Backlash and Glasner's Defiant Yet Resigned Response
The overwhelming majority of Crystal Palace supporters have turned against Glasner, calling for his dismissal. When questioned about this, the manager put up a little fight, defending both his team and his own character. He rebuffed suggestions that he has checked out since announcing his decision not to stay at the club beyond the end of the season.
Perhaps his most telling moment came in response to chants of 'sacked in the morning' from fans. Glasner bluntly stated, 'Maybe I would sing the same', an emotional reply from a manager still reeling after a tough night on the continent. There was almost an acceptance that he is on borrowed time, as he candidly acknowledged underperformance, though noting that expectations have shifted since Palace's FA Cup win.
'The expectations are getting higher and higher and we haven't been able to fulfil them in the last months,' said Glasner. 'We are not in the best moment. I take responsibility for everything. I'm just not good enough right now to replace the players we sold, integrate the new ones and cope with the schedule.'
Glasner's Evasive Answers and the Unspoken Truth
Despite occasional mentions of moving forward, such as focusing on the upcoming Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, the most revealing moments stemmed from questions about his future. When asked directly if he wants to remain at Palace until the season's end, Glasner was evasive, offering only a short answer: 'let's see what the future brings'.
What was left unsaid spoke volumes. If Glasner cannot affirm his desire to stay in the job, it suggests his tenure may be nearing its conclusion. Arriving back from Mostar at 2 am on Friday and facing media scrutiny just nine hours later was undoubtedly challenging, but his downbeat demeanour, while understandable, could be the final nail in the coffin.
Palace's Precarious Position and Parish's Dilemma
Should Palace sack Glasner before the Wolves match, forcing him to attend the press conference would have been a mere stay of execution, making him face the music after fan revolts. Currently, Palace sit eight points clear of the relegation zone with 32 points, but Glasner's despondency, insecure position, and slumping performances raise legitimate concerns about the club being dragged into a relegation battle.
If Glasner survives until Sunday, anything less than a victory against Wolves should signal the end of his tenure. Dropping points at home to Burnley and Wolves in successive games would be beyond unacceptable. Chairman Steve Parish now faces critical decisions that could define Palace's season, with the team's European hopes hanging in the balance and morale at a low ebb.
