OLIVER GLASNER is the new Crystal Palace manager.
The Austrian replaces Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park after the 76-year-old walked away this afternoon.
Glasner, 49, signed a two-and-a-half-year deal in South London after holding talks while his predecessor was in hospital.
He said: “I am very happy to join Crystal Palace as manager.
“I am looking forward to working with the talented squad, meeting the club’s supporters and experiencing the Selhurst Park atmosphere I have heard so much about.
“It has been a pleasure to meet with Steve Parish and Dougie Freedman, and I am looking forward to working with them to achieve our goals.”
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Hodgson’s exit was confirmed four hours before tonight’s Monday Night Football clash away at Everton.
The former England boss was rushed to hospital after being taken ill during Friday’s training.
Hodgson, who is now out of hospital, walked away after 200 matches in charge across two spells, leaving the club 16th in the Premier League table and just five points above the drop zone.
He said: “This club is very special and means so much to me and has played a big part in my footballing life. I have fully enjoyed my time here across six seasons, as it has given me the chance to work with top-class players and staff doing what I love every day.
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“However, I understand, given recent circumstances, it may be prudent at this time for the club to plan ahead, and therefore I have taken the decision to step aside so that the club can bring forward their plans for a new manager, as intended for this summer.
“My thanks and respect to the current squad of players who have been a pleasure to work with – they are a credit to the club and themselves.”
Paddy McCarthy and Ray Lewington will be in the dugout for the trip to Goodison Park before Glasner takes over first-team duties.
Glasner’s playing career was cut short by a brain haemorrhage in 2011.
He stepped into management, taking his first job at former club SV Ried before spells with LASK, Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt, leaving the Bundesliga club last summer.
The incoming gaffer’s coaching team is yet to be confirmed by Palace.
Chairman Steve Parish added: “I’m delighted to welcome Oliver to the club.
“He has an outstanding record, and we believe he is the right manager to take the club forward at this pivotal stage.
“Wherever Oliver has gone so far in his managerial journey, success has been quick to follow, and we believe his ambition, as well as his exciting and attacking approach, is the perfect fit for getting the most from our talented young squad in the remainder of this Premier League season and beyond.”
Parish earlier said: “Roy has a special place in Crystal Palace history and this will never be forgotten.
“After four years in which he led the club to maintaining Premier League status season after season, he once again joined us nearly a year ago to steady the ship, and worked wonders.
“That he then agreed to continue in the summer speaks volumes about his commitment to our club.
“Quite simply, we owe our continued Premier League status to Roy.
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“I would like to thank Roy enormously for his service and wish him the very best for the future.
“It’s fair to say Roy has the keys to Selhurst Park and will always be welcomed back.”
Who is Oliver Glasner?
FORMER defender Oliver Glasner is a Europa League-winning manager.
The Austrian, 49, spent his entire playing career in his homeland, and was a one-club man, playing 516 times over 19 years for SV Reid.
But he was forced to retire in terrifying circumstances when he developed a brain haemorrhage after heading a ball in training.
Emergency surgery saved his life but it spelled the end of him playing career, aged 37.
Thankfully, Glasner recovered and embarked upon what has become a very successful coaching career.
He reached out to Ralf Rangnick for a job and became sports coordinator and assistant manager at Red Bull Salzburg.
Glasner was handed his first managerial role at former club SV Ried in 2014, guiding the club to a sixth-place finish in the Austrian Bundesliga.
He then moved on to LASK, where he served as both manager and director of football between 2015 and 2019.
During that time, LASK won promotion back to the top-flight and returned to Europe before a second-place finish in Glasner’s final season in charge.
Following his success at LASK, Glasner moved to Germany with Wolfsburg in 2019.
After securing Champions League football in 2021, the Austrian moved to Frankfurt.
His maiden season with the club would end with European glory, as Frankfurt beat Rangers on penalties in the Europa League final.
The triumph earned the club their third European trophy and first since 1980.
Glasner left the Eagles last summer after a seventh-place finish and a run to the Champions League last 16.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
