Crystal Palace wins Conference League as Oliver Glasner prepares to leave
The Story
Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final in Leipzig, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring the winning goal. The victory marks the club’s third trophy under manager Oliver Glasner, who will leave this summer after a strained relationship with chairman Steve Parish.
Key Facts
- Steve Parish composed himself after the final, calling the achievement “a dream come true.”
- Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the goal against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.
- Dean Henderson was handed the trophy by Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin, the same official under whom Palace were demoted from the Europa League after winning the FA Cup last year.
- Parish described that ruling as “the biggest injustice in the history of football.”
- Fans chanted “Fuck Uefa” referencing John Textor (former co-owner) and Evangelos Marinakis (Nottingham Forest owner).
- Glasner’s relationship with Parish soured at the start of his first full season after a delayed summer 2024 transfer window.
- Eberechi Eze was sold to Arsenal in August 2025; Marc Guéhi was sold to Manchester City in January 2026, prompting Glasner to threaten resignation.
- Glasner told Palace in October 2025 he would not extend his contract, and made his decision to leave public in January 2026.
- Palace considered putting assistant Paddy McCarthy in temporary charge but Parish instead sanctioned club-record signings of Brennan Johnson and Jørgen Strand Larsen, neither of whom started the final.
- Parish is expecting a response from Andoni Iraola after offering the Bournemouth manager a lucrative deal; alternatives include Frank Lampard and Pierre Sage.
- Woody Johnson bought John Textor’s 43% stake in Crystal Palace last year.
- Reports indicate Bovis, the company contracted to build the new main stand at Selhurst Park, is no longer working on the project.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
Whether Andoni Iraola will accept the managerial offer from Crystal Palace.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Steve Parish (Crystal Palace chairman)
- Oliver Glasner (manager)
- Jean-Philippe Mateta (goal scorer)
- Dean Henderson (captain)
- Aleksander Ceferin (Uefa president)
- John Textor (former co-owner)
- Evangelos Marinakis (Nottingham Forest owner)
- Eberechi Eze (sold to Arsenal)
- Marc Guéhi (sold to Manchester City)
- Brennan Johnson (club-record signing)
- Jørgen Strand Larsen (club-record signing)
- Paddy McCarthy (Glasner’s assistant)
- Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth manager)
- Frank Lampard (Coventry manager)
- Pierre Sage (Lens manager)
- Maxence Lacroix, Daniel Muñoz, Adam Wharton, Ismaïla Sarr (players)
- Woody Johnson (owner of 43% stake)
Sources: The Guardian
