Team where it belongs after yearlong 'detour', says Glasner

Departing Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner toasted Wednesday's UEFA Conference League final victory by saying the club was back where it belongs after a "year's detour".

Jean-Philippe Mateta's second-half goal took Palace to a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano and a maiden European triumph. It also earned it a place in the Europa League.

Palace's FA Cup win last season qualified it for this season's Europa League, but UEFA revoked its place in the second-tier competition due to multi-club ownership rules.

"I said to the players, get now what you deserve after winning the FA Cup — the Europa League," Glasner said.

"Now, after a one-year delay, the club, the fans, the players get what they deserve.

"Sometimes you have to take a detour, and, now, we're there."

In January, Glasner announced he would leave the club in the summer. Palace had never won a trophy when he arrived, but he leaves having lifted the FA Cup, Community Shield and now a first European trophy.

"We hear a lot when the fans say thank you to us for giving them the best day of their lives and all these emotions. And I said thank you to the players, because it's the same for me," Glasner said.

"Because they gave me great, incredible days in my life, and that's what I really appreciate."

Glasner said his time at Palace was "a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other chapters will follow".

He said he had made no plans for his future other than "flying back to London with a hangover" after taking charge of his last match with the club.

Speculation has swirled about the Austrian's future since he announced his departure in January, with reports of a move to another Premier League club or a potential return to Germany.

Glasner though said his only plan was to celebrate.

He said he does not have the "desire or the energy to speak with another club, because I felt duty bound to give 100 percent of Oliver Glasner (to Palace)."

"I haven't even thought about anything past tomorrow," he continued.

"Today's a day for celebrating, and anyone who knows me, knows I'm completely focused on this and haven't been able to do anything else except concentrate on the final.

"And, now, I can really let loose, and I'm going to do that with the players today. Then, tomorrow, I'll fly back to London with a bit of a hangover. And then it's time to get settled in and go back to my family."

Glasner added: "Everything I say today will be wrong tomorrow. That's why all I know for sure is that I'll be celebrating with the players today, drinking a few beers, and flying back to London tomorrow."

Defender Tyrick Mitchell said winning the Conference League felt like "pure delight" after a decade at the London club.

"It's amazing, it's the same feeling that we had when we won the FA Cup."