Oliver Glasner has confirmed that he will return to Crystal Palace for the first time since leaving the club, a move that has stirred emotions among Palace fans and the club’s board. The former Palace manager, who guided the Eagles to their first major trophies, will face his old side on Sunday at Selhurst Park, a fixture that carries extra weight given the bitter history between the two clubs over the Europa League spot last season. Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis has even taken legal action against Palace for a banner that Palace supporters displayed, adding further tension to the encounter.
Glasner, now 52, said in a boardroom meeting at Forest’s training base that he had no pre‑planned intention of becoming Forest’s manager. He explained that his decision to leave Palace in October was based on a personal choice rather than a rejection of the club. “I decided not to sign a new contract last October, and then in the summer I chose Nottingham Forest for different reasons,” he told the board. He stressed that he had never intended to abandon Palace, and he hopes the fans will remember the joy of the 2023 FA Cup final at Wembley, the 2023 Conference League triumph in Leipzig, and the Community Shield win that came under his stewardship.
The Palace chairman Steve Parish has publicly expressed that he would be “mortified” if Glasner were to receive anything less than a hero’s welcome. Glasner himself has said he will not apologise for being outspoken, recalling a February incident when he urged Palace supporters to “stay humble” after a poor run of results that saw the club knocked out of the FA Cup by Macclesfield. He said he would continue to speak his mind, accepting criticism as part of the role.
During his first three months at Forest, Glasner has faced a mixed start, including a recent loss to Coventry after a win over Aston Villa. He said that the way the club reacts to setbacks is crucial, and that he believes the team must stay united rather than blame one another. He also highlighted a friendly victory over Swansea where he experimented with a four‑man defence, and described a recent in‑house padel tournament that saw his assistant and players win against him.
Glasner’s decision to join Forest was seen as a surprise by many, given his recent success at Palace. He explained that when evaluating a club, he looks beyond immediate trophies and considers the long‑term potential and the ability to unlock that potential with the players, staff and ownership. He said he had many options in the summer, but the opportunity at Forest felt right after he examined the squad and the club’s ambitions.
The upcoming match at Selhurst Park will be a test for Glasner, who will have to navigate the emotional history between the two clubs while focusing on his duties at Forest. The game is expected to be a high‑profile encounter, with both sides keen to assert their identities and ambitions in the Premier League.