Crystal Palace’s 2024-25 Season Review: Triumphs, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Crystal Palace experienced a historic 2024-25 season, celebrating FA Cup victory and securing their first major trophy. They triumphed over Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield and made their mark in European competition through the Conference League.

However, the summer of 2025 saw the departure of key playmaker Eberechi Eze, who transferred to London rivals Arsenal. Following this, skipper Marc Guehi also exited, signing with Manchester City as he was set to become a free agent at the season’s end. Star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, now a full international with France, has also attracted attention from Serie A giants Juventus, raising concerns within the club regarding player retention and support from management.

Manager Oliver Glasner voiced his frustrations ahead of a Premier League match against Sunderland, expressing feelings of abandonment due to a lack of support from higher-ups. He noted, “Your heart gets torn out twice in a season, one day before a game. It’s tough to survive. We feel that we’re being abandoned. Everybody’s disappointed. We’ve been playing with 12 to 13 players for weeks now. On the bench, I had just kids.”

This candid statement reportedly frustrated club chairman Steve Parish, who was contemplating a managerial change before Glasner’s contract expires. Following a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, Parish decided to allow Glasner to complete his contract until the end of the season.

As the winter transfer window opened, Glasner was involved in discussions, successfully acquiring Brennan Johnson from Tottenham in a club-record deal. The club expects him to turn around the team’s fortunes, especially after a series of 10 matches without a victory across all competitions.

In light of recent setbacks, Glasner remarked that he did not concern himself with whether he would continue as head coach, stating that Crystal Palace would be fine regardless of who was in charge. He emphasized, “I don’t need any support. Crystal Palace needs it. For me, it feels like we just wait until all the players are back. It will be OK; 42 points at the end, it’s all good.”

The Guardian reported that the club believes they acted in their best interests by accepting the offer for Guehi, considering he would have left for free at the season’s end. They anticipate receiving a £20 million ($27 million) fee for a player who could have departed with no financial compensation.

Looking forward, Glasner is unlikely to oversee a rebuild at Palace, as his successor will dictate the transfer strategy in the summer. Interestingly, he has emerged as a top target for Manchester United, who are seeking a permanent replacement for their recently ousted manager, Ruben Amorim.