Crystal Palace made history at Leipzig Stadium on May 27, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 to claim the UEFA Conference League title — the first major European trophy in the club's 165-year existence. The victory marked a perfect farewell for departing manager Oliver Glasner, who has transformed the Eagles into European contenders during his remarkable two-year tenure.

Jean-Philippe Mateta's decisive strike secured the triumph for Palace in what was both clubs' maiden UEFA competition final. The French striker, who has been instrumental in Palace's European journey, delivered when it mattered most to cap off an extraordinary campaign that saw the Eagles defeat AZ Alkmaar, Fiorentina, and Shakhtar Donetsk en route to the final.

The Conference League triumph represents the culmination of an unprecedented period of success under Glasner's guidance. Since taking charge, the Austrian tactician has delivered three major trophies to Selhurst Park — a feat that even established Premier League powerhouses struggle to achieve.

From Mid-Table to European Glory

Glasner's transformation of Crystal Palace began with their historic FA Cup victory on May 17, 2025, when they stunned Pep Guardiola's Manchester City at Wembley Stadium. Founded in 1861, Palace had waited 164 years for their first major trophy, having fallen short in FA Cup finals in 1990 and 2016.

The Austrian's experience with Eintracht Frankfurt, where he lifted the UEFA Europa League trophy in 2022, proved crucial in elevating a club that had long focused merely on Premier League survival. Palace's ownership group, including NFL's New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, backed Glasner's ambitious project with nearly $270 million invested in signings while trusting the club's academy system.

Palace added the Community Shield to their trophy cabinet on August 10, defeating reigning Premier League champions Liverpool at Wembley. Despite facing criticism for inconsistent domestic form, Glasner's European pedigree shone through as Palace conquered the Conference League.

A Bittersweet Triumph

The Conference League victory comes amid the disappointment of missing out on Europa League qualification despite winning the FA Cup. Palace were denied their Europa League spot due to a multi-club ownership conflict with Olympique Lyonnais, both teams belonging to the same ownership group.

However, that setback only motivated Glasner's squad further. The Eagles' Conference League campaign saw them overcome Dutch side AZ Alkmaar, Italian giants Fiorentina, Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk, and finally Spanish outfit Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig.

Speaking after the final, an emotional Glasner reflected on his time with the club: "Right now, I still can't believe this was the last match. I made this decision and it is a chapter — a very good chapter — in Crystal Palace's history book. More chapters will follow."

The manager, whose contract expired without a renewal option due to disagreements with ownership over domestic expectations, added: "Today I told the players that the fans were thanking us for giving them the best day of their lives. I thanked the players because, for me, it's exactly the same. These have been incredible days in my life."

Key Players in Palace's Rise

Glasner's success has been built around a core group of players who have embraced his demanding style. Jean-Philippe Mateta has emerged as the club's talisman, with his Conference League final goal adding to his impressive European campaign. Chris Richards, Ismaïla Sarr, Cheick Doucouré, Daniel Muñoz, and Yeremy Pino have all played crucial roles in Palace's transformation from Premier League survivors to European champions.

The manager praised his squad's commitment: "I can be very demanding and everyone knows that. Huge thanks to the players and coaching staff who supported me. Our supporters were unbelievable again tonight. I see myself as part of this group. As a manager, you cannot achieve anything alone — you need a great staff, great footballers and great people."

Looking Ahead

Crystal Palace now face the challenge of maintaining their newfound status without Glasner on the touchline. The Conference League victory secures them a place in the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League, provided they haven't already qualified through domestic competition.

The Eagles' remarkable journey from mid-table Premier League side to European champions represents one of modern football's most impressive transformations. Under Glasner's guidance, Palace have not only won their first major trophies but established themselves among football's elite — a legacy that will endure long after the Austrian's departure.

For a club that waited 165 years for major silverware, three trophies in two seasons under Glasner represents nothing short of a golden era. As the manager noted, this chapter may be closing, but Crystal Palace's European adventure is just beginning.