Crystal Palace Managerial Crisis: Thomas Frank Emerges as Leading Contender
Crystal Palace could be on the verge of a managerial change, with current boss Oliver Glasner facing dismissal following a disastrous run of results. The Eagles are reportedly contemplating sacking the Austrian before the season concludes, despite his planned departure at the campaign's end. Glasner has overseen just one victory in his last 15 matches, plunging the club into a precarious position.
Glasner's Uncertain Future and Club Concerns
When questioned about his tenure until the season's end, Glasner responded with uncertainty, stating, "I always said, and this wasn't the first press conference where I could just repeat myself. As I said, eventually you always depend on your players, and they will get all the support like always, and then we will see." He acknowledged the harsh reality of football, adding, "In football, it's easy. As a manager, you will stay or be allowed to stay when the results are OK. Football is all about this and the last months, the results were not good. The performances were not consistently good and that's it."
Crystal Palace remain active in the Europa Conference League but risk being dragged into a relegation battle as rivals like West Ham and Leeds United accumulate points. This situation has intensified pressure on the club's hierarchy to act swiftly.
Thomas Frank's Admiration for Crystal Palace
Among the candidates to replace Glasner, Thomas Frank stands out prominently. Recently dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur, Frank is highly regarded in Premier League circles for his previous successful stint at Brentford. His past comments about Crystal Palace suggest a strong affinity for the club, potentially making the role appealing.
In 2021, while managing Brentford, Frank praised Crystal Palace's consistency, saying, "I need to praise Crystal Palace because they have been in the Premier League for the last eight years and have been very consistent in everything they do. They have a low budget and constantly produce good performances in the last eight years. It is very impressive what they have achieved."
He also highlighted the intimidating atmosphere at Selhurst Park, noting, "It is going to be very difficult. Selhurst Park is one of the most difficult places to go in the Premier League. They will be on top of us from the first minute and a very strong counter-attacking team." Frank emphasized the need for tactical discipline, adding, "When we have the ball, we need to be well organised behind the ball because we will lose it eventually, unless we put it in the back of the net, so that is where we have to be very sharp. It's going to be a very tough test, but we are confident and we believe in ourselves. We will go there and do our very best to be brave again."
Other Candidates and Club Challenges
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Robbie Keane is also in contention, thanks to his impressive work at Ferencváros. However, Frank's Premier League experience and public admiration for Crystal Palace position him as a frontrunner. The club's decision will be crucial as they navigate European competition and domestic survival.
In related news, Crystal Palace have suffered a significant injury setback ahead of upcoming clashes with Wolves, Manchester United, and Tottenham, further complicating their season.
