Where do you want your statue, Oliver Glasner? For all the drama that has swirled through Crystal Palace’s season, the outgoing manager has delivered yet again.
Another final, another shot at silverware. This time, a European final in Palace’s debut continental campaign, with Glasner hoping to add the Uefa Conference League to his FA Cup and Community Shield – it would be the perfect farewell in his final game as Palace manager.
In two years at Selhurst Park, Glasner has got Palace punching well above their weight. At this point, it would not be surprising if his middle name were “final”.
However, the road to Leipzig has been arduous and defiant. In fact, the adversity began well before the start of the season when Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League for breaching multi-club ownership rules, but that injustice has spurred them on and built their resilience.
Glasner and his side continued to navigate choppy waters throughout the season, with some supporters calling for his dismissal midway through the campaign after a couple of public meltdowns, protests, the sales of Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi, and Jean-Philippe Mateta attempting to force a move in the winter transfer window.
Palace did have a rocky spell of results and there were allegations Glasner had checked out after announcing his departure, but that was not the case at all. It was merely the product of games stacking up with a short squad in a maiden European campaign. After all, that is taxing for a squad with very little European experience.
But, in the end, the character of the group has shone through. With all the turmoil, the squad stuck together and, most importantly, stood by their manager – even after he announced he would leave the club at the end of the season. Supporters may have wavered, but the squad never stopped believing.
Thursday’s win against Shakhtar Donetsk was their 55th game of the season. With a spot in the Conference League final booked, Palace will finish the campaign having played 60 games – the most matches the club has played in a single season. It has been a physically and emotionally draining campaign for all involved, albeit Palace are now enjoying the fruits of their labour.
It was one big party. Ismaila Sarr ensured Palace’s spot in the final in the 52nd minute, scoring his ninth goal in the competition this season. From that moment, any lingering nerves were alleviated, and the festivities began.
Palace knew they were well and truly on their way. The Palace fans chanted Glasner’s name for the first time since January, and Dean Henderson acquired the Holmesdale Fanatics’ megaphone after the final whistle to conduct the choir behind the goal.
There was a rousing rendition of “Stand up if you love Palace”, as every block in the ground got off their feet in unison. Even the Whitehorse Lane end, colloquially known as the family stand, got involved. Maxence Lacroix, of course, pulled out his signature fist-pump celebration – treating both ends of the ground to it.
Among the joyous moments was an evocative one. Nathaniel Clyne – whose first spell at the club coincided with administration in 2010 – made his 250th Palace appearance as a late substitute. From helping save the club from perishing at Hillsborough on the Championship final day in 2010 to booking a spot in a European final 16 years later, Clyne has seen it all.
Playing European football was Palace’s reward for winning the FA Cup last season, and if Palace get over the line in Germany, there will long be debate about which of the two achievements is more prestigious.
There has been a greater shine to the Conference League journey, though. Especially on Thursday night at Selhurst Park. Palace played just Stockport and Millwall at home on the way to Wembley last season, there was no peak at home until after the final. Whereas a decisive leg of a European semi-final at Selhurst Park, with every minute edging closer to Germany, enabled one of the most electric SE25 atmospheres ever.
Fans could watch the game in their normal seats, surrounded by the same old faces, and witness history unfold. Not at a neutral venue like the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa, but at home.
Glasner has already installed himself as the greatest manager in Palace history. For all his faults – namely, his occasional divisive comments – he has proved he is a born winner and has transformed the way Palace operate and are spoken about. He has less quality in his squad than the group that won the FA Cup last season, but he has managed to navigate them to even greater heights.
He may be a dissident, though his record speaks for itself. Being an outspoken character, there were concerns that he might struggle to nail down a top job post-Palace, with the clubs in the upper echelons wanting to avoid managers who speak out.
But Glasner has backed his rhetoric with results and has rightfully earned himself the pick of the top jobs again. Europa League winner at Frankfurt, alongside his achievements at Palace. Consider what he could accomplish with greater resources.
For now, his focus is on preparing for the Conference League final. If Palace are victorious in Leipzig, they would not have romped the competition – far from it. It would be a product of sheer graft and determination, which makes getting to the final all the sweeter.
Each season, only three teams out of the hundreds of clubs in Europe can lift a continental trophy. Palace are just 90 minutes away from becoming one of those. Surreal does not do it justice.