Oliver Glasner returns to Selhurst Park on Sunday with a complicated legacy, but Crystal Palace supporters should remember the extraordinary success he delivered during his time in south London.
The Austrian guided Palace to the FA Cup, the Europa Conference League and the Community Shield, establishing himself as the most successful manager in the club’s history. His final game in charge was the 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig in May.
However, Glasner’s decision to leave Palace at the end of last season before joining Nottingham Forest has changed the mood around his return. The fixture now carries additional significance because of the developing rivalry between the clubs, meaning his reception could be mixed.
Tensions have also been heightened by a legal dispute involving Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who is suing Palace over a banner displayed by supporters at Selhurst Park last season. Forest’s place in the 2025-26 Europa League, meanwhile, came at Palace’s expense after the Eagles breached UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules and were moved into the Conference League.
That change of competition ultimately contributed to Glasner adding another major honour to his Palace record. For all the rivalry and controversy surrounding Sunday’s meeting, Palace owner Steve Parish has called for the manager to receive a “fantastic reception” and urged fans to look beyond the surrounding narratives.
Glasner has moved on to a new club, as managers and players regularly do, but that should not erase what he achieved at Palace. His return ought to be an opportunity for supporters to acknowledge a manager who delivered an unprecedented period of success at Selhurst Park.
