‘Best manager this club’s ever had’ – Henderson praises Glasner ahead of Crystal Palace’s European final | OneFootball

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson has described Oliver Glasner as the “best manager this club’s ever had” ahead of their European final.

The Austrian coach’s last match in charge of the Eagles will be the UEFA Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano.

“Obviously, it would be a great way to finish the movie off for Glasner,” said Henderson. “Everyone wants that happy ending and everyone’s working towards that.

“It’d be unbelievable for him. Obviously the best manager this club’s ever had and to finish on such a high would be sensational.”

Glasner has already led the side to their first major trophy in the FA Cup last season. Now he could also deliver Palace’s first piece of European silverware.

“I think the manager’s so good,” Henderson continued. “He’ll take every opposition differently. 

“He’ll focus on their game plan to stop them and obviously hurt them the other way, which he’ll do with any team. So yes, it’s been quite unique.”

On the Eagles’ mood ahead of the final, the England international insisted: “I’m excited, I think all the boys are. We’re looking forward to getting there and getting the game underway. I’m looking forward to the big one on Wednesday night. 

“We haven’t really changed anything for the last two years, so we know what we need to do. When it comes to the big games, we’ve delivered and we’re looking forward to delivering again.

“The togetherness in this group is phenomenal. All the lads are pushing in the right direction for each other. All the staff at the training ground, everyone. It’s just like a family club. As I say, we’re all pushing towards the same end goal.

“It’s been incredible. What a first season in Europe for Crystal Palace. If we can deliver it, it’ll be sensational.

“Hopefully the party on Wednesday,” the goalkeeper answered with a smile on the best moment of Palace’s maiden European campaign. “I think beating Shakhtar away. I thought they were unbelievable.

“They were top, they had some unbelievable players. And obviously to win 3-1 there was incredible.”

If Palace do triumph in Leipzig then, as captain, Henderson will be the man to lift the trophy. Speaking frankly on the emotions after their success last year, he admitted: “The high to the low. I remember after the FA Cup final, three days after, I didn’t want to get out of bed. I was like, ‘What has gone on here?’

“I swear. I don’t know whether that was alcohol or… But I actually think it was like, I felt depressed. It was mad. But I don’t know why. I’ve never really spoken about it. 

“It’s the emotions of it. Even now, you’re engaged the week before. Naturally, you’re thinking about it. Even for the last couple of weeks, you’re probably thinking, let’s try and win the final.

“It’s natural. No one speaks about it. No one speaks about it to each other. It’s just about your individual battles, isn’t it?”