Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has enjoyed a successful run in the Premier League, but things could have turned out very differently. It has been revealed that in 2023, the Austrian coach was a top candidate for the manager role at Dutch club Ajax, who ultimately decided to look elsewhere.
🤔 A Different Path for Ajax
Last year, former Ajax director Sven Mislintat strongly recommended hiring Oliver Glasner, who had recently left his role at Eintracht Frankfurt after winning the Europa League with them. However, the Ajax board had reservations about appointing a non-Dutch manager. They preferred someone with local experience and chose to pass on the opportunity.
⏱️ A Short-Lived Appointment
Instead of Glasner, Ajax appointed Maurice Steijn from Sparta Rotterdam. Unfortunately, this decision did not work out as planned. Steijn’s time at the club was brief, and he left his position by October, just a few months after being hired, following a difficult start to the season.
📈 Glasner’s Premier League Success
Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner remained available until February 2024, when he was appointed manager of Crystal Palace. He quickly made a positive impact, guiding the team to impressive results and a strong finish in the Premier League, showcasing the coaching talent that Ajax had missed out on.
