Nothing is certain in football, but Crystal Palace do know that Oliver Glasner will leave the manager’s post when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Austrian manager replaced Roy Hodgson and changed life at Selhurst Park, changing Palace’s outlook. Progressive, front-footed football is one thing, but Glasner gave the club something tangible, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield in 2025 and opening the door to European competition.
But there is no doubt that the atmosphere has soured somewhat over the past few months, with lackluster performances threatening progress and adding to the sense of uncertainty that prevailed during the January transfer window.
Jorgen Strand Larsen signed for a club record fee, but further reinforcements will be needed this summer and chairman Steve Parish will also need to choose a suitable replacement.
Latest updates on Palace’s manager search
Crystal Palace have accepted the fact that Glasner’s contract expires this summer, but that does not necessarily mean he will last that long.
A shocking downturn has left Palace on the brink of a relegation battle in the Premier League, but they remain in a relatively strong position, eight points behind 18th-placed West Ham United.
But Parrish considered his position after the Austrian unilaterally announced his resignation in January. He has one win in every tournament since December 11th.
If Palace look for a quick solution, they may be tempted to appoint Thomas Frank, who was recently sacked from his post at Tottenham Hotspur.
Reports last week suggested the former Brentford manager is a leading candidate to replace Glasner, and if he is keen to make a quick return to Premier League management after an ignominious spell at Spurs, the Eagles could offer him the perfect platform.
Why Thomas Frank can succeed at Palace
It is no exaggeration to say that Frank is not the Premier League’s player of the month. There’s no getting away from the fact that his tenure at Tottenham was a huge failure, but he’s a great coach and he’s proven that over the years at Brentford.
Last season, he finished 10th with 56 points and was nominated for Premier League Manager of the Year.
Brentford, now managed by Keith Andrews, are riding the crest of a wave but are supported by solid foundations and the culture instilled by their predecessors, with leading football writer Henry Winter praising their “remarkable” achievements in west London.
Frank, who was praised for taking the time to work with his players and bring out the best in his players at Brentford, may find Selhurst Park the perfect place to revive his career, and Strand Larsen could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Dane’s expertise.
Strand Larsen, 25, is a tall, powerful forward who is adept in the air. He led Wolves this season before a £48m move to south London but faltered, but his two-goal performance against Burnley last time out reminded everyone that he is the same player who scored 15 goals for the Old Gold last year.
Jorgen Strand Larsen vs Burnley | |
|---|---|
match statistics | # |
Play time (minutes) | 90 minutes |
the goal | 2 |
touch | 36 |
Number of shots (on target) | 3(2) |
exact path | 18/26 (69%) |
An opportunity has arisen | 0 |
dribble | 0/0 |
intercept | 1 |
ground duel | 1/4 |
aerial duel | 5/7 |
Data via Sofascore | |
His style of play is not far from that of Ivan Toney, the English striker who enjoyed so much wealth on the pitch with Frank’s Brentford.
Tony scored 72 goals under Frank in just 141 games, more than any other player. A strong and intelligent striker, he holds together an attacking system and Strand Larsen could emulate that role at Palace.
In fact, last season, pundit Alan Shearer praised Strand-Larsen as a “nuisance” to frontmen who boast deceptive technical quality and are immensely talented in hold-up play.
He has everything he needs to be successful at the club, but with Frank at the helm he could take it one step further.
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