Crystal Palace secured their first major European trophy by winning the Conference League on Wednesday, completing a remarkable 12-month transformation under departing manager Oliver Glasner. The Austrian's departure comes after delivering unprecedented success to Selhurst Park, guiding the Eagles from mid-table obscurity to continental glory.

Palace's European journey almost never happened. UEFA demoted them from the Europa League to the Conference League in July after ruling violations involving multi-club ownership through American businessman John Textor's stakes in both Palace and Lyon. Despite this setback, they captured the FA Cup at Wembley and followed it with Wednesday's European triumph, guaranteeing their place in next season's Europa League.

The path wasn't smooth. Palace lost talisman Eberechi Eze to Arsenal for a record fee, while captain Marc Guehi's proposed £35m+ move to Liverpool collapsed on deadline day. Glasner intervened to keep Guehi, even threatening to quit if the sale proceeded. Tensions with chairman Steve Parish surfaced publicly, with Glasner joking after Sunday's farewell: "Now I'm leaving, I don't have to agree with the chairman."

Chairman Steve Parish hailed the achievement as restoring Palace to where they belong on the European stage. The Conference League victory serves as Glasner's legacy, proving that sustained success is possible at Selhurst Park.