Who is Oliver Glasner? A look at the new Crystal Palace manager who was previously linked to Chelsea and Spurs

Oliver Glasner has replaced Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park (Picture: Getty)

Oliver Glasner is the new manager of Crystal Palace following the exit of Roy Hodgson – but what can we expect from the Austrian boss?

Palace announced on Monday that Hodgson had left his role and later in the day, they confirmed that Glasner has taken over at the Premier League club.

Glasner has signed a contract until the end of the 2025-26 campaign and it is thought he will bring four members of staff with him to Selhurst Park.

Premier League fans could be forgiven for not knowing much about Glasner – who has never managed in England before – but he has a glowing reputation.

The 49-year-old first entered the world of management a decade ago by taking the job at SV Reid, where he had spent his entire playing career as a defender.

After just one season with his beloved club, though, he moved across to fellow Austrian side LASK, guiding them to promotion and back into Europe for the first time in 18 years.

That earned Glasner the job at Bundesliga club Wolfsburg in 2019 – where he led the German team to a third-highest points total in their history and into the Champions League with a top-four finish.

Oliver Glasner led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory (Picture: Getty)

Glasner most recently had a two-year stint at another German side, Eintracht Frankfurt, where he secured the Europa League title and a runner-up finish in the DFB-Pokal.

But Glasner, who had been previously linked to Chelsea and Tottenham, is now finally heading to the Premier League as he takes charge of Palace.

Glasner’s style of football revolves around high-pressing and counter-attacking – somewhat similar to AFC Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola.

Crystal Palace confirmed Roy Hodgson’s exit on Monday (Picture: Getty)

The Austrian’s teams are known to press high as well as close spaces in the middle of the pitch and adapt to the specific demands of their opposition.

‘He’s very structured, very well organised, meticulous, observes the opposition very closely and prepares the team very well for them,’ said Niko Kovac, the current Wolfsburg boss who was manager at Frankfurt before Glasner.

‘He doesn’t just let Eintracht run their boots off. He adjusts tactics and tries to simulate the opponent during the week in training.

‘Oliver has transferred his ideas of football well to his team because he works methodically, because there’s no chopping and changing.’

Glasner possesses a UEFA Pro Licence and according to Transfermarkt, his preferred formation is a 3-4-2-1.

He is thought to be an ambitious manager and when a club fails to match his aspirations, there can be trouble.

Crystal Palace currently sit 16th in the Premier League table (Picture: Getty)

His decision to leave Wolfsburg came amid frustrations over the level of investment he was allowed to make – and it was a similar exit at Frankfurt.

He is thought to be excited at the idea of managing an English club, where transfer budgets are more generous than in Germany.

Glasner held talks with Ajax, Marseille and Lyon over potential jobs but was persuaded by Ralf Rangnick, his mentor, to seek an opportunity in England.

Ex-Man Utd interim boss Ralf Rangnick is Oliver Glasner’s mentor (Picture: Getty)

Glasner has a reputation of getting the best out of strikers, with Wout Weghorst massively impressing under him at Wolfsburg.

He is also credited with improving Randal Kolo Muani at Frankfurt before selling him to Paris-Saint Germain for £68m.

Speaking about his decision to join Palace, Glasner said: ‘I am very happy to join Crystal Palace as manager.

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‘I am looking forward to working with the talented squad, meeting the club’s supporters and experiencing the Selhurst Park atmosphere I have heard so much about.

‘It has been a pleasure to meet with Steve [Parish] and Dougie [Freedman], and I am looking forward to working with them to achieve our goals.’

Eagles chairman Steve Parish added: ‘I’m delighted to welcome Oliver to the club. He has an outstanding record, and we believe he is the right manager to take the club forward at this pivotal stage.’


MORE : Oliver Glasner confirmed as Roy Hodgson’s replacement as Crystal Palace manager


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