Crystal Palace are moving dangerously close to the relegation zone in the Premier League. The Eagles are on a two-game losing streak and just five points above the bottom three.
On Thursday, manager Roy Hodgson was hospitalized after “falling ill” at the club’s training ground. Even before Hodgson suffered his illness this week, there had been talk of the 76-year-old former England manager being replaced.
Hodgson rescued Crystal Palace last season after hopes of Patrick Vieira revolutionising the club ended. Now, Palace are in a bad place and ready to turn to a former Europa League winner to improve results.
🚨🔴🔵 Crystal Palace have appointed Oliver Glasner as new head coach! Roy Hodgson has been fired.Positive approach revealed yesterday night and agreement being sealed now as contracts are being reviewed.Two year contract for Glasner at #CPFC, he gave green light yesterday. pic.twitter.com/FOAXczdmov— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2024
🚨🔴🔵 Crystal Palace have appointed Oliver Glasner as new head coach! Roy Hodgson has been fired.Positive approach revealed yesterday night and agreement being sealed now as contracts are being reviewed.Two year contract for Glasner at #CPFC, he gave green light yesterday. pic.twitter.com/FOAXczdmov
Enter former Eintracht Frankfurt coach Oliver Glasner. The Austrian was on the fast-track to becoming one of the top young coaches in football until Eintracht Frankfurt’s board agreed to part ways with him at the end of last season.
Glasner took over Frankfurt in 2021 after overseeing improvements at Wolfsburg. He immediately led the Eagles to the Europa League trophy, winning massive ties against Barcelona, Real Betis, and West Ham before claiming the trophy on penalties versus Rangers.
Dissatisfied with Glasner’s work, Frankfurt decided to go in a different direction ahead of this season. That decision has turned out to be a poor one, with Frankfurt playing some unattractive football and treading water in midtable.
Glasner will now assume the role as manager of Crystal Palace and attempt to get another group of eagles to soar.
Palace will begin round No. 25 in 15th place, with just 24 points from 24 games. Only 27 goals were scored by Palace, which is the fourth-fewest goals in the league. Meanwhile, the defence has allowed 43 goals, the fifth most.
The Eagles have good players, yet fans have not seen the best from those players this campaign.
Forward Odsonne Edouard and Michael Olise lead the team in goals with six apiece. Jordan Ayew has been the chief creator. He has six assists along with two goals.
Yet, it is the defence that has been the biggest issue. Glasner’s first task will be to rectify the team’s poor record of conceding goals.
His preferred formation is a 3-4-2-1. Wingbacks would be needed to get forward, while two creative players would play behind a centre-forward. The good news is that Olise and Eberechi Eze would be those attacking midfielders.
The problem would likely be which players would slot into the wingback areas. The pieces Glasner has may be square pegs for round holes.
Glasner is one of the up and coming coaches in football. If given time, he could certainly pull off a change in football culture for Crystal Palace.
While Hodgson was a pair of safe hands halfway through last season, Glasner is a sign of potentially exciting football for the future.