JAKARTA – Manager Oliver Glasner said he left Crystal Palace in the place he should have been after winning the UEFA Conference League in his last game as a coach.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal in the second half gave Palace a 1-0 win against RB Leipzig on Thursday, May 28, 2026, early morning WIB, and won their first European trophy.
Glasner had announced in January 2026 that this would be his final year in south London and ended his tenure by winning his second major trophy at the club.
The title also secured Crystal Palace a place in the Europa League for next season – a tournament they were due to take part in this year before UEFA sanctioned them for breaching multi-club ownership rules.
“I don’t even believe this is my last game. I made this decision (to leave Crystal Palace).”
“This is a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other chapters will follow. I said to the players, get what you deserve now after winning the FA Cup.”
“The Europa League is delayed for one year. Clubs, supporters, and players get what they deserve. Sometimes, you have to take a detour, and now Crystal Palace is where it should be,” Glasner said after the match.
Speaking at his press conference as Crystal Palace manager, Glasner said even the best magician couldn’t work without the players, as he reflected on his two trophy-laden years at the club.
“I just guide this group of players and staff. I support them and say, really, this is not because of my 100 percent belief, I can’t do anything (without the players).”
“I can be the best magician (but) it won’t work without the players. So, all the players deserve praise because they have to listen, they have to trust me and the staff, of course.”
“They have to work very hard. I think every player will tell you that I am very demanding. So, if things don’t go the way I think they should, or if a player might lower their standards by 1 or 2 percent, I can’t accept it,” said the coach.
Meanwhile, after being doubted to start the final due to injury, midfielder Adam Wharton finally made a decisive contribution to the victory with his shot which was deflected and then hit by Mateta to score.
After the match, he said he would not miss the final because of a slightly swollen ankle.
“There was a lot of doubt (whether I would play or not). I have almost always compressed my feet with ice for the last few days, just to reduce the swelling.”
“Some painkillers and it worked. So, yeah, just to be honest, I can’t shoot perfectly. It’s not very comfortable, but I wouldn’t miss the final just because of a slightly swollen ankle,” said Wharton.
After all the questions were asked, Glasner remained in the press room in Leipzig for his final monologue as manager as he said goodbye to the journalists.
“(The last press conference) and I want to say thank you, especially to all (journalists) English who may have attended all 120 press conferences.”
“So, thank you for asking a question that is not too stupid and always listening to my European accent. Yes, thank you very much and the thing we can give is that you can travel in Europe next season too.”
“So like the players, hopefully you’ve extended your visas. Hopefully you’ll sit down and write about (Crystal Palace in) next year’s final. Thank you very much,” said Glasner.
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