Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner outlines his tactical approach in message to fans

New Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has told supporters his philosophy is simply to “score goals”.

The 49-year-old’s first words will delight the club’s fans, frustrated by the pragmatic approach of his predecessor Roy Hodgson.

Glasner, who won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt in 2022, was announced as Palace’s new manager on Monday after Hodgson resigned due to health concerns.

Giving his initial thoughts on how he will approach the job, Glasner revealed how he will set up his team.

“The philosophy is simple, it’s about scoring goals,” said the Austrian ahead of his first game in charge on Saturday when Burnley visit Selhurst Park. “As I tell the players, that’s why we started playing football. Nobody went on the pitch when they were young to defend. We must never forget that.”

Olivier Glasner

“The fans want to see us fighting and playing together to score a goal. Then of course we think about how we defend, whether it’s a high press or a low block, but the philosophy is to score goals.”

He added: “We want to get as many points and wins as possible. It’s very important that we play the same way at Selhurst Park or in away games.

“We always have to have confidence in ourselves, in our teammates and in what we are doing. It’s not a sprint or a marathon but maybe (a 5K) or something like that. I am confident that we will reach our goal and that we can improve over time as a team and individually.

Glasner was keen to address Hodgson’s health before admitting he began discussions with Palace chairman Steve Parish and the club’s American partners in the autumn to take over in the summer. “First of all, the most important thing is that Roy is doing well and healthy – and I wish him all the best,” he said.

“(My arrival) came quicker than we thought and maybe wanted, but that doesn’t change much. We have three training sessions, then first the game against Burnley. I I watched a lot of games. I was preparing for the summer and thought maybe I had more time.

“We have a lot of key players injured but I see a team with a lot of character. They showed that at Everton.”

Ray Lewington has resigned as Palace first-team coach, despite assistant manager Paddy McCarthy remaining in the new structure.

Michael Angerschmid, Ronald Brunmayr and Emanuel Pogatetz join McCarthy as assistant coaches, while Michael Berktold joins McCarthy as fitness and conditioning coach.

Glasner is likely to be without at least six players at Turf Moor, including key men Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Marc Guehi.

He is nevertheless confident of his ability to keep Palace in good shape. “We will try to restore their confidence,” he said. “Of course, they haven’t had a good time in the last few weeks or months, so we want to give them a plan. I’m happy to start with a home match. This is a very interesting project, and now that it has started, it is our duty to succeed. »