Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace dream ends this summer, but with FA Cup glory already in his pocket, the Premier League’s big guns are lining up for his signature.
Oliver Glasner’s time at Crystal Palace has reached a tipping point, with the Austrian manager confirming his departure from Selhurst Park at the end of the 2025/26 season amid growing frustration over the club’s transfer dealings.
His blunt comments about feeling “abandoned completely” after selling captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City just one day before a crucial match have only fuelled the fire, echoing earlier heartbreak with Eberechi Eze’s exit.
The Eagles sit mid-table in the Premier League, 13th with 28 points from 22 games, but Glasner’s trophy haul, complete with FA Cup glory in May 2025 and a dramatic Community Shield penalty shootout win over Liverpool, has elevated him to elite status.
Oliver Glasner arrived at Crystal Palace at the start of 2024 after his stint at Eintracht Frankfurt, inheriting a side staring relegation in the face. He turned them around instantly, winning seven of his first ten league games and securing safety with games to spare.
Last season’s FA Cup run saw Crystal Palace stun Manchester City 1-0 in the final, with Eze scoring the only goal of the game. The Community Shield triumph followed. This term, despite sales gutting the squad, Glasner has kept them competitive, boasting one of the best defences in the league via his high-pressing 3-4-2-1 system.
Yet, the sales timing irked him deeply. “I have kept my mouth shut until now,” Glasner said post-Guehi’s departure. “You get your heart torn out twice this season, both times one day before a game.” Palace’s owners prioritised finances, but Glasner, 51, seeks stability at a club willing to back his intense, transition-focused style.
With his exit locked in, top clubs circle. The Hard Tackle rates four realistic Premier League destinations, assessing fit, squad synergy, and likelihood.
Manchester United (Likelihood: 8/10 | Suitability: 9/10)
Manchester United’s season imploded after sacking Ruben Amorim at the start of the new year following a fiery press conference. Michael Carrick, the former midfielder, has taken charge as the caretaker and has steadied the ship with a massive 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City.
While Carrick would certainly look to mount a case for a permanent role, Sir Jim Ratcliffe eyes a proven winner for 2026/27. Oliver Glasner tops the list over Gareth Southgate, because if they were to appoint the former Three Lions boss, they could have done it now.
Manchester United crave Glasner’s press: his Crystal Palace side averages 68% ground duel wins, perfect for unlocking Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in transitions. The 3-4-2-1 exploits wing-backs, while the Red Devils do have centre-backs who pair with Glasner’s high line.
At Eintracht Frankfurt, he rebuilt via sales; here, Manchester United’s larger summer kitty aligns. Ratcliffe admires his trophies without extravagance. Glasner could end Manchester United’s eight-year trophy drought, blending youth (Mainoo) with veterans like Bruno Fernandes. Expect a bid if Carrick falters in the spring.
Tottenham Hotspur (Likelihood: 7/10 | Suitability: 8/10)
Ange Postecoglou’s UEFA Europa League heroics in 2025 masked domestic woes, but Tottenham sacked him at the end of the season. Thomas Frank arrived from Brentford, yet Spurs slump to 14th with 27 points in 22 outings. The Dane’s pragmatic shift has alienated fans craving Postecoglou’s flair; pressure is now mounting with Champions League revenue at stake.
Oliver Glasner revives this perfectly. Spurs’ attack would thrive in his fluid 3-4-2-1, where dual No.10s like James Maddison and Xavi Simons will overload defences. Crystal Palace under the Austrian tactician score 1.8 goals per game from counters; Tottenham’s pacey wings fit seamlessly.
Defensively, his system demands athletic centre-backs like Micky van de Ven, curbing Spurs’ leaks. At Crystal Palace, Glasner punched above his weight; here, Tottenham’s budget suits his smart recruitment. Frank’s likely spring exit opens doors. Glasner rejected Spurs last year but now aligns post-Palace.
Newcastle United (Likelihood: 6/10 | Suitability: 7/10)
Eddie Howe’s miracles—2022 Carabao Cup near-miss, top-four finish—defined Newcastle United, but 2025/26 screams inconsistency: 8th with 33 points. While they have won each of their last three league games, their overall performances have been a concern.
Howe has a lot of credit in his bag, and the Newcastle United board certainly has a lot of faith in him, but failing to secure a top-five spot could put his position under threat. Oliver Glasner’s profile intrigues: his high-energy press mirrors Howe’s but adds tactical steel, with Crystal Palace winning 55% of high turnovers.
Imagine Nick Woltemade flanked by Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes in transitions, Guimaraes anchoring the 3-4-2-1 midfield with Joelinton or Sandro Tonali. Wing-back Tino Livramento thrives pushing forward.
Newcastle United’s Saudi cash will fund Oliver Glasner’s targets. Yet, loyalty to Howe (58% win rate pre-injuries) tempers likelihood; PIF prefer data-driven hires like the Crystal Palace boss only if Europe slips. A Champions League miss flips this to probable.
Liverpool (Likelihood: 5/10 | Suitability: 8/5)
Arne Slot‘s 2025 debut dazzled, yielding Liverpool the Premier League title. However, this season’s pressure cooker has Liverpool 4th, 14 points adrift of Arsenal, despite spending the most money in the summer on Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, and Florian Wirtz. Poor results against the big clubs expose Slot’s possession obsession (62% average), yielding just 1.4 goals per game lately.
Anfield murmurs are growing; FSG are eyeing upgrades if top-four wobbles. Oliver Glasner’s counter-punch disrupts Slot’s build-up woes. Liverpool’s attackers could explode from his presses, as at Crystal Palacewhere 40% goals stem from regains in 20 seconds.
The 3-4-2-1 can flourish with Alecis Mac Allister and Wirtz as No.10s, alleviating the need to find a Mohamed Salah successor. Virgil van Dijk can anchor the high line that Glasner demands. His Europa League pedigree (Frankfurt 2022) suits Anfield’s demands, and post-Klopp calm favours bold swaps. However, this is the lowest likelihood, as Slot’s two-year project endures unless collapses. However, Glasner can transform waste into silverware.
Oliver Glasner’s impending Crystal Palace exit caps a remarkable chapter, but his hunger for contention points upward. Manchester United need salvation the most; Tottenham’s revival beckons next. Newcastle United will test ambition, and Liverpool the dream. With a great track record at Palace despite sales, his methods can be replicated anywhere. Premier League giants beware: Glasner’s next stop redefines a contender.
