It was February 15, 2024 and there was a sense of sorrow, dissatisfaction and chaos on the Crystal Palace training field.
Roy Hodgson appeared about to lose his job. The results had taken a dip and the fans were furious. Their club was missing the direction on the field and apparently none of them had finished it. Oliver Glasner was set up to stop the season that focuses on a relegation scrap.
Somewhat surprisingly, Hodgson was still set to hold a press conference before the game prior to their next match against fellow wrestling players Everton.
But then Journalists gathered outside the Beckenham training basis of the club, something else was brewing. Was outside the gates, the news broke that the audience had pulled with Hodgson with just over half an hour.
The former manager of England was made sick during the training session of the morning. He was on his way to the hospital on a day when it seemed that his second stint was demolished in the club.
Hodgson was soon in a stable state in the hospital and confirmed that he would resign days later. The appointment of Glasner – initially planned for the summer – was confirmed and an uncomfortable chapter came to an end.
Fifty -eight days later, the direction is as clear as the playing style. The Eagles go to Wembley and the Austrian is potentially 90 minutes away from leading them to their very first FA cup.
The journey has not been without its bumps. It took Palace until the end of October to achieve their first victory this season. And it was only last month that they had admitted 10 goals in two games when the wheels looked to fall from a promising campaign.
But the general travel line has a team in a targeted progress.
As long, purely as a football team, Palace felt difficult to love from the outside. Football was rather little inspiring, but they always did enough to keep themselves away from problems. That in itself is an achievement not to browse. But under Glasner they offer so much more.
There is so much to be found in this current palace outfit. The fist pumps of Dean Henderson, the blistering of Daniel Munoz runs along the right, the Mazy of Eze Eze Dribbels on the left and Jean-Philippe Mateta Smashing Corner Flags. That is without mentioning the calmness that exudes the stylish Marc Guehi, the maturity and calmness of Adam Wharton and the unpredictable sparkle of Ismaila Sarr.
These talented individuals may thrive under Glasner. They still have the chance to take Palace's highest Premier League points ever with two more games to play.
And while they are on their way this weekend, fans can naturally be scars and pessimistic of earlier finals (remember the Alan Pardew Dance?!), This manager will not be. It was only three years ago on Sunday that Glasner delivered the Europa League for Eintracht Frankfurt, with his side who defeated Rangers in the final.
Admittedly, there may be some fear that takes on Manchester City, only a few weeks after a 5-2 hammering on Etihad. But the Austrian remained challenging even in the minutes that followed on a match in which Palace should have had a 3-0 advantage, but in the end five unanswered goals had admitted: “I told Pep [Guardiola] After the game that he cannot play this system [again] Because we will beat “. A subtle reference to the two parties that may meet again in the final – before they had even hired the quarter -finalists of Champions League Aston Villa in the Semi!
By saying all this, Palace is clearly still the underdogs. Man City did not get into their usual highlights this season, but are still a force to take into account and their record in domestic cup competitions under Guardiola is phenomenal. They have won the FA Cup twice under him and have reached at least the last four phase in each of the last seven seasons. Chuck in five Premier League titles, a Champions League and four Carabao Cups alongside other pieces of silverware. Some people ask for the Eagles.
From a personal perspective, it was a pleasure to regularly talk to Glasner and to cover it for 15 months in the club so far. He is a friendly, warm and thorough decent person. Behind the smile there is a bright competitive line. He is restless and ruthless in his pursuit of progress. He gives a lot and demands a lot from players, staff and the club.
It is easy to see why Bayern Munich circled when they wanted to replace Thomas Tuchel last summer. It is no surprise that RB Leipzig has put him on the shortlist to fulfill their empty management role.
That brings me to my last point.
The potential in this team and manager is almost unlimited. But in reality we are probably witnessing the last iteration of this specific palace team. In all likelihood, they can lose two or three important players this summer. Maybe also their manager. It is unthinkable that they can hold all their stars. One day they can.
Perhaps the European football would be sufficient for people like Guehi and Eze next season – thanks to the victory on Saturday. In particular, their versions in the past two seasons show that they belong in the largest phases.
But that is in the future. Let's live in the now. Crystal Palace, founded in 1861, on Saturday, could experience their biggest day.