Few seasons in the history of Crystal Palace have been as turbulent—or as potentially historic—as this one. Key departures, managerial uncertainty, public criticism of the board, and fan unrest have all contributed to an atmosphere of instability. Yet remarkably, amid the chaos, Palace remain in contention for European silverware.
Twelve months ago, the Eagles were celebrating the most successful period in their history. In May, they stunned English football by defeating Manchester City to lift the FA Cup—the first major trophy in the club’s existence. Three months later, they added the FA Community Shield to their cabinet, overcoming Liverpool FC in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Those triumphs propelled Palace into European competition for the first time, qualifying them for the UEFA Europa Conference League. Expectations were high. However, the months that followed proved anything but straightforward.
Star winger Eberechi Eze departed for Arsenal FC, weakening Palace’s attacking creativity. Captain Marc Guehi was heavily linked with Liverpool before eventually sealing a move to Manchester City five months later. Meanwhile, prolific striker Jean-Philippe Mateta appeared close to joining AC Milan, only for the deal to collapse following a failed medical.
On the managerial front, the situation grew even more dramatic. Oliver Glasner, who had guided Palace to unprecedented heights since taking charge in February 2024, announced in January that he would leave at the end of the season. Not long after, he publicly claimed the club’s board had “abandoned” the squad, sparking speculation that his departure might be immediate.
Instead, Glasner remained in position. Yet tensions with supporters surfaced, highlighted by a banner displayed before a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers declaring the manager “finished.” Despite the criticism, Glasner has insisted he retains full backing from the club hierarchy.
When asked about his job security, the Austrian responded emphatically that he had 100% support. He admitted that some of his interviews may have added fuel to the fire but emphasized his honesty as part of his character. For Glasner, transparency outweighs public relations caution.
In league terms, Palace sit 13th in the Premier League. They are comfortably 10 points clear of relegation danger and just three points shy of eighth place—a position that could potentially secure another European berth next season. While inconsistent results have hampered their domestic push, they remain well positioned to finish strongly.
Glasner believes the continued commitment of his players speaks louder than any speculation. If the squad had lost faith, he argued, results would reflect that immediately. Instead, Palace have shown resilience, maintaining unity within the dressing room. The manager also praised the cohesion between players, coaching staff, sporting director, and chairman, noting that statistically this campaign ranks as the club’s second-best Premier League season, surpassed only by last year’s extraordinary run.
Attention now turns to Europe. Palace recently secured passage to the Conference League last 16 with a 3-1 aggregate victory over Bosnian champions Zrinjski, including a composed 2-0 home win. Captain Dean Henderson downplayed the drama, joking about the “fuss” surrounding the club.
Although Palace finished 10th in the league phase and required knockout ties to progress, bookmakers have consistently viewed them as tournament favorites. Previous English winners include West Ham United in 2023 and Chelsea FC in 2025, underscoring the competition’s growing prestige.
Next, Palace await the outcome of a tie between 1. FSV Mainz 05 and AEK Larnaca. While neither opponent carries elite European pedigree, complacency would be dangerous—especially considering Larnaca previously defeated Palace 1-0 during the group phase.
Henderson has urged caution, stressing that knockout football demands focus rather than premature trophy talk. Since Guehi’s exit, the goalkeeper has embraced captaincy responsibility and called for Selhurst Park to become an impenetrable fortress during decisive home fixtures.
Former defender James Tomkins echoed that sentiment, describing Palace as genuine favorites to lift the trophy. He emphasized the rarity of the opportunity: securing a third major honor in two seasons would surpass even the most optimistic expectations of supporters.
After enduring a 12-game winless stretch from December, Palace have now recorded consecutive victories, restoring confidence. Glasner believes reduced fixture congestion compared to the autumn period—when juggling three competitions—will allow greater focus and freshness in the closing weeks.
Injury setbacks have further complicated the season, but reinforcements are on the horizon. Mateta and influential midfielder Jefferson Lerma are expected to return soon, bolstering the squad at a crucial juncture.
For supporters, emotions remain mixed. Frustration over player departures and uncertainty surrounding Glasner’s future coexist with genuine excitement about European prospects. The possibility of ending such a chaotic season with another trophy—and potentially a first continental triumph—adds a layer of intrigue rarely experienced at Selhurst Park.
Ultimately, Palace’s campaign encapsulates football’s unpredictability. Turmoil has not extinguished ambition. Instead, adversity may yet define their resilience. If unity holds and performances match potential, European glory remains within reach.
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