Departing Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed his desire for the team to secure a spot in the Europa League next season, describing it as the perfect farewell gift. The Eagles face Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on Wednesday, with victory guaranteeing European football at a higher level.
A Transformative Tenure
Glasner, who is set to leave the club after the final, has been credited by chairman Steve Parish with elevating Palace to unprecedented heights. The Austrian manager has urged his players to embrace ambition and not limit their potential.
Glasner's Message to the Squad
Speaking at a press conference in Leipzig, Glasner revealed the emotional farewell he received from the team. He stated: "Yesterday they had a nice farewell for me, and I said a few words. I said that for me, the best thing would be winning tomorrow, not just for the victory itself, but because it would mean they play in the Europa League next year."
He added: "They would get next year what we should have gotten this year. I would like to watch on TV as they start their Europa League campaign with the desire and confidence to win that competition too. That would make me truly happy, because it would show we created a mindset of continuous success."
Glasner emphasized that this mentality does not guarantee trophies every season but ensures the team extracts the maximum potential from every player and squad. He concluded: "That's why I hope we win tomorrow, so these players can experience Europa League football next season."
