Goodbye Oliver Glasner, Jean-Philippe Mateta rebirth, Adam Wharton statement - Crystal Palace storylines from historic UEFA Conference League win

Before the match, Dean Henderson suggested Glasner’s farewell should be like a movie. But while the 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano was more akin to an Austrian art house slow burner than an Arnold Schwarzenegger blockbuster, the conclusion was still ultimately a happy one.

Glasner leaves south London after guiding Palace through the most successful period of their history and will be long remembered by fans who have witnessed a glittering two years with him at the helm - with even talk of honoring him with a statue gathering steam.

In lifting the Conference League trophy on his swansong, Glasner becomes the third manager to win a major European trophy in their final game in charge of an English club alongside Keith Burkinshaw at Tottenham following UEFA Cup success in 1984 and Maurizio Sarri following his 2019 UEFA Europa League win with Chelsea.

Many say that it is always best to go out on top and Glasner, like his striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, has timed his run to perfection as far as managing his exit.

Speaking of Mateta, the Frenchman is in Palace's good books again after failing to engineer a move away from the club in January.

The player was even booed by his own fans at one point over the issue and looked as though his time at the club was up.

However, Matata has worked hard to regain the trust of the Selhurst faithful, who were more than happy to forget the past as he tapped home from close range at the start of the second half to make history.

It’s a testament to the player’s professionalism that he has been able to work his way back into the Palace fans’ hearts.

After being omitted from England’s World Cup squad, it would probably be cliché to suggest that Adam Wharton was sending a message to Thomas Tuchel with his performance in that final.

That would do the Palace midfielder a disservice given his display was completely consistent with what he has given The Eagles since he joined from Blackburn in 2024.

Integral to everything his side did, Wharton produced the most passes ending in the final third of the pitch with 18, demonstrating his attacking intent, and it was his chance that ultimately led to Mateta’s winner.

He may not be on the plane to North America this summer, but there’s little reason to believe the 22-year-old won’t get more opportunities at the highest level throughout his career.

Crystal Palace are now the first team to win a major European final in their debut season since Belgian side KV Mechelen who won the 1987/88 Cup Winners’ Cup.

They are also the first ‘new’ English side to lift a major European trophy since Everton lifted the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1984/85.

Palace chairman Steve Parish said after the match that sometimes the good guys win, making reference to the club's controversial omission from the Europa League this season.

Palace now have the opportunity to finally take a bite at the cherry next season and with another trophy in the cabinet to boast of.

Fans in the stand already displayed a banner stating their intent to go all the way in the competition, which again takes place in Germany and the cry of Frankfurt next spring, and given the confidence running through the team after all their recent success, who would bet against it?

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