Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish said the club “never had any doubt” about head coach Oliver Glasner despite their slow start to the 2024-25 campaign.
Glasner has taken Palace to the FA Cup final, defeating Aston Villa 3-0 in Saturday’s semi-final, and to within one match of the club’s first ever major trophy.
However, the south London side failed to win any of their opening eight Premier League matches this term, picking up just three points, while their victory at home to Tottenham Hotspur was their only win in their first 13 league games of the season.
Palace are now 12th in the table, 24 points above the relegated sides and have reached just their third ever FA Cup decider.
Parish was asked by BBC Sport after the match on Glasner’s work and said he never doubted the 50-year-old’s ability to turn the situation around after the slow start.
“Watching him work, the positivity and the way he his,” Parish explained. “He loves football, always believes we can win and he instils that in his players.”
Speaking to BBC Sport after the game, Glasner said: “I spoke to the chairman a few weeks ago and if our start of the season had worked I would get three months off this summer and then come back one week before the start of the Premier League!
“The most important thing is everyone stayed calm in the club. The team, such great guys and they always believed in us and have always had a great togetherness.”
Glasner said after the match he was “exhausted” when asked if he would celebrate, but added: “The players have four days off now. Players should enjoy the moment.”
Palace will play either Manchester City or Nottingham Forest, who play in Sunday’s semi-final, in the May decider at Wembley.
(GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)