Oliver Glasner will return to Selhurst Park for the first time on Sunday when Nottingham Forest face Crystal Palace in the Premier League, bringing an emotional reunion with the manager who oversaw the most successful period in the club’s history.
Glasner left Palace when his contract expired at the end of June, having guided the Eagles to Conference League success with a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano. That triumph represented Palace’s third trophy in 12 months.
The Austrian arrived in south-east London in February 2024 and led the club to its first major trophy when Palace defeated Manchester City in the 2025 FA Cup final. His tenure then culminated in the Conference League victory in Leipzig.
Glasner’s next move came as a surprise, with the manager taking charge of Forest only a week after his Palace contract ended. His decision has attracted extra attention given the previous season’s dispute with UEFA, which saw Palace lose a Europa League place earned through their FA Cup triumph and be placed in the Conference League instead, while Forest took the Europa League spot.
Palace supporters have expressed mixed feelings about Glasner’s return. Most remain thankful for the success he delivered, with one fan saying he deserves a positive reception in recognition of his achievements. Another supporter said they disliked his decision to join Forest but still admired him for what he accomplished at Palace.
However, a minority remain critical of Glasner’s final season. He came close to resigning around the turn of the year after announcing that he would leave at the end of the campaign, and one supporter said they had been alienated by comments they felt were intended to protect his reputation.
Neither Palace nor Forest has made an ideal start to the season, with both clubs recording one victory from their opening five matches. Glasner will now face his former club at Selhurst Park with the reception from Palace supporters likely to reflect both his historic achievements and the controversy surrounding his departure.
