With Oliver Glasner going to Nottingham Forest, has he betrayed Crystal Palace and how will he line up in the job?

Backstory

    Oliver Glasner was appointed as Crystal Palace manager in 2024, replacing Roy Hodgson. He completely changed the philosophy at at Palace and won an FA Cup and a UEFA Conference League. These two trophies in two seasons are their only major trophies, making him their most successful manager by an absolute country mile. Midway there the 26/26 season, Glasner announced he was leaving at the end of the season. He then went off on slating the board in press conferences after an it looked like he was trying to get the sack. After that, he got his team going again and went on to lift the Conference League trophy.

Why did he leave Palace?

   There are a few reasons to why Oliver Glasner left Crystal Palace. One being the lack of funding from the board and the way they have to sell all their best players who positively impact the squad. This was irritating as he got a good player like Ebere Eze or JP Mateta and then have to sell them and this unsettles the whole team. Another reason why he left is that he was looking for a better job elsewhere at a bigger club where they don't get their best players taken and he can get paid more and win more trophies. Other clubs like AC Milan and Chelsea were interested in him and those clubs definitely want to win trophies and have a way bigger budget then Steve Parish at Crystal Palace.

Why has he joined Forest?

   Oliver Glasner to Nottingham Forest is a very strange move in many different aspects. Firstly, especially looking at last season, going to Forest is a step down as they were in a relegation battle all season and didn't win any trophies. Also, there is a bit of a feud between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace as they took their place in the Europa League as Palace broke the UEFA multi-club ownership rule as American businessman John Textor owned shares in Palace and Lyon, both in the Europa League. Another odd thing about this appointments is that he is Forest's 5th manager in 12 months and will be under heavy pressure under Evangelos Marinakis rules harshly and is willing to pull the trigger at any moment. However, there are so,e reasons on why Glasner chose Forest. For a start, it is a good new project and one pretty similar to Crystal Palace and he will be thinking he can do a good job. Another reason on why he joined is he will get more backing and also it is a lucrative deal where he will get paid a lot. Finally, he may have gone there as there was no other work for him and didn't want to stagnate and get working. He and most Forest fans will be excited for next season and are hoping Glasner will work his magic at The City Ground.

What is his playing style?

    The way that Oliver Glasner plays is a high pressing and line that wins the ball and booms forward. He plays a 3 at the back, which is protected by a double pivot in midfield. The pivot allows for more passing area and enables the team to create more space to pass. Instead of classic wingers, he prefers to have 2 narrow attacking midfielders. To get space out wide, they have wing backs, whose job is to get up the pitch making overlapping runs but also getting back to help the defenders. They go forward primarily by long direct passes to bypass the midfield and it stretches the opposition. Out of possession, Glasner uses clever zonal traps to win the ball in attacking areas and tries to pin their opponents to the touchline. The striker is a physical threat and has to be a target man who can finish.

Is this the right style for Forest?

   The way Oliver Glasner plays really suits the calibre of players that Forest have. The fact that he is happy to not have the ball and bomb forward is perfect for players like Morgan Gibbs%White and James McAtee are perfect narrow midfielders and Neco Williams makes a great wing back due to his ability to get crosses and shots in but also can track back and defend. It will require some investment in the transfer window and some tweaks in training but overall, it is a good tactical fit.

Is he a traitor?

   Yes, Oliver Glasner is a traitor as he left Palace who he was doing such a good job with, to go to rival club Nottingham Forest, who are in a lesser position. That doesn't mean he will leave Crystal Palace on a bad note, he has revitalised the club and has brought them not 1 but 2 trophies and has made some unbelievable memories for the fans. In addition, Glasner had to do what's right for him and his career and leaving Palace wasn't a shock anyway and he probably is too good for Palace.

Final Words