Glasner writes new chapter in Palace history
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner and Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup. PHOTO: REUTERS
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said his players had given fans a "moment for their life" by beating Manchester City 1-0 to win the first major trophy in the club's history.
Eberechi Eze scored in the first half at Wembley on Saturday and Palace dug deep against Pep Guardiola's men to get over the line and secure a first full venture into European football.
"We wanted to write history," said Glasner. "I think now we wrote really a big chapter in history."
The Austrian said the players had stuck together after a terrible start to the season, when they won just one of their first 13 league games.
"I think you can see now what you can get when you are patient as a club and also a big credit to our supporters," he said.
"Because we had a very bad start, three points after eight games. Usually, the fans get impatient, are complaining.
"Our fans always supported us. You could see the effort. Even three or four weeks ago, we conceded 10 goals within four days at City five, at Newcastle five.
"We were 5-0 down after 60 minutes at Newcastle. Our fans were supporting the team. I think this is a special connection."
Glasner, in his first full campaign at Selhurst Park, said he felt something special was building at the club during the winter months.
"I got this feeling during the season, that we can achieve incredible things," said the 50-year-old.
"This feeling is the same. There's no button where you can turn it on. I know we have talented players. We have great characters in the club. Such a togetherness. Such a great work ethic. Such a great environment, atmosphere."
Glasner said the joy of the fans, who celebrated loud and long in the Wembley sunshine, was his major takeaway from the final.
"I think the biggest achievement we as football players, football managers, the biggest achievement that we can have, the biggest success that we can have... we could give thousands of our fans, of south Londoners, we could give them a moment for their life.
"We can give them great times, we can give them, maybe they have some troubles, some problems at home.
"We give them hours and days where they forget all of this. Just be feeling happy and celebrating. I think this is the biggest achievement that sportsmen can do."
Glasner, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2021/22, can now train his sights on the competition again, with Palace moving into in new territory.
Their only previous experience of continental competition was one home-and-away tie in the Intertoto Cup back in 1998.
"Next year, we will start to write a new chapter," said Glasner. "It is first time playing in Europe. And let's see."
Palace, 12th in the Premier League, also need just one point to set the club's best-ever tally in the competition.
"The craziest thing is on Monday, I have to think about the Wolves game on Tuesday," said Glasner.
But for now he can drink in his status as the only manager in the club's history to win major silverware.
"I hope I start to find my party motors slowly and get the right vibe," he said.
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