"Fantastic end": Glasner's farewell as European Cup winner?

Oliver Glasner sees a title win as the possible crowning glory of his tenure as Crystal Palace coach. "We are playing our 60th game this season. That would be a fantastic end. We've enjoyed the journey," said Glasner ahead of the Conference League final. The Londoners face Spanish club Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on Wednesday (21:00/RTL Nitro).

Glasner leaves the Premier League club at the end of the season after just over two years. For him, it would be his second European Cup triumph after winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022. "It would mean an incredible amount to me. It would be very important," said the 51-year-old. "I think it would be outstanding for any coach to be in two European finals with two clubs in four years. Then there are the cup finals in Germany and England."

Flowers around the training ground

Glasner announced his departure from Crystal Palace in January. "We will miss him very much. I think he knows that too," said England international goalkeeper Dean Henderson. Glasner defended his resignation and also his way of not being a yes-man: "If you always have the same opinion on everything, then you don't move a club forward. Then there are always flowers flying around the training ground, but you never win anything."

When the club also lost its best defender in international Marc Guéhi to Manchester City in the winter, Palace refocused for the rest of the season. "Our focus was to stay in the Premier League and concentrate on the Conference League," said Glasner. "And I think when you reach the final of a competition, you've done a lot of things right." Palace finished the season in 15th place in the Premier League.