Glasner ticks all right boxes as Palace seek forward momentum

Incoming boss has history of front-foot play, a tight defence and of improving inconsistent players

- Dom Smith

CRYSTAL PALACE fans have long craved a manager whose animated passion on the sidelines is matched by an aggressive front-foot style. In Oliver Glasner, they may well get just that.

Palace are putting the details in place for Glasner's arrival, with the Austrian having verbally agreed to replace Roy Hodgson as manager in a deal expected to run to 2026.

Hodgson is set to depart after a testing campaign in which Palace have won just four of their last 18 Premier League matches and sit just five points above the relegation zone. The 76-year-old yesterday collapsed while taking training ahead of Monday's trip to Everton.

The former England manager was taken to hospital, where he was later on his feet and speaking to doctors.

Palace had been paving the way for Glasner to replace him. The 49-year-old led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory two seasons ago, with Palace's chairman Steve Parish and sporting director Dougie Freedman having been impressed by his high-intensity style of play. Frankfurt knocked out West Ham and Barcelona on the way to the title, and his side balanced a high-press with a well-organised defence.