Oliver Glasner returns to Selhurst Park on Sunday with a remarkable Crystal Palace record behind him, despite the tensions that have developed since he left south London. The Austrian guided the Eagles to the FA Cup, Europa Conference League and Community Shield, establishing himself as the most successful manager in the club’s history.
Glasner’s final game in charge was Palace’s 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig in May. He then chose to leave at the end of the season and moved to Nottingham Forest during the summer, a decision that has affected how some Palace supporters view his legacy.
His reception could be complicated by the growing rivalry between the clubs. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is suing Palace over a banner displayed by home supporters at Selhurst Park last season. The dispute comes amid Forest taking Palace’s place in the 2025-26 Europa League after Palace breached UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
That ruling also contributed to Palace being moved into the Europa Conference League, which Glasner subsequently won. The circumstances have created an unusual backdrop to his first return as an opposing manager, but they should not erase what he achieved during his time with the Eagles.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has called on supporters to give Glasner a “fantastic reception” and look beyond what he described as “pantomime narratives”. Glasner has moved on, as managers regularly do, but his contribution to Palace’s history merits appreciation when he comes back to south London.
