Oliver Glasner has offered Crystal Palace fans a glimmer of hope regarding his contract renewal, attributing the delay in negotiations to the team's congested fixture schedule. The Austrian manager's current deal expires at the end of the season, leading to speculation about his future at Selhurst Park.
Glasner, who took charge at Crystal Palace at the beginning of 2024, has had a significant impact. He guided the Eagles to an FA Cup victory last season, defeating Manchester City, and followed that up with a Community Shield win at the start of the current campaign. Under his leadership, Crystal Palace has risen to fifth in the league and boasts the best away record in the league.
Despite this success, reports have suggested that Glasner might not extend his stay, with some sources claiming he is set to leave unless Crystal Palace qualifies for the Champions League. Frustration over recruitment strategy and a perceived lack of long-term ambition have also been cited as potential reasons for his hesitancy. The departure of key players like Eberechi Eze has also raised concerns.
However, Glasner's recent comments suggest that the door is not completely closed. He confirmed that talks have been postponed due to the demanding schedule, which prevents detailed discussions with chairman Steve Parish. Crystal Palace faces a packed calendar, including Premier League games and Conference League matches. Glasner intends to utilize completely different starting lineups for the Conference League match against KuPS and the Premier League game against Leeds, highlighting the strain on his squad. Adding to the challenge, attacking midfielder Daichi Kamada is expected to be out for an extended period due to a hamstring injury.
Glasner also stated that he does not view the speculation surrounding his contract as a distraction. This suggests a level of professionalism and focus on the present tasks at hand.
Despite Glasner's success, Crystal Palace may already be considering potential replacements. Getafe boss José Bordalas has been mentioned as a possible candidate. Liam Rosenior's name has also been circulated.
Another factor that could influence Glasner's decision is his long-held ambition to manage Bayern Munich. It has been suggested that he would consider renewing his contract with Crystal Palace if it included a clause allowing him to leave for Bayern should the opportunity arise.
For now, Crystal Palace fans can take solace in Glasner's commitment to the team despite the uncertainty surrounding his future. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether the club can address his concerns and convince him to stay beyond the current season.
