Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner led Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory in 2022 and Tottenham Hotspur are in the German side's way as they chase a repeat
Oliver Glasner will be Eintracht Frankfurt’s special agent when he calls in to wish his old club luck against Tottenham in the Europa League quarter-finals. The Crystal Palace boss, who led Frankfurt to the trophy three years ago - knocking out West Ham in the semis - has revealed he will pay them a visit at their London hotel ahead of the first leg with Spurs.
And Glasner, who has taken the Eagles to the FA Cup semi-finals, could be the high-flying German club’s lucky charm. He said: “I will visit them the day before (the Tottenham game) in their hotel - not the players but of course many of the staff are still working there.
“I am pretty sure Frankfurt are having a fantastic season, they are positioned third in the Bundesliga and also in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. These games are so important for the club and fans - and I know there will be many at the Spurs stadium.
“I really know what a good team Tottenham is and I expect a very good quarter-final with two attacking teams. These are two teams with a lot of pace in their squads - I am looking forward to watching this game but I will watch it on TV.”
Under Glasner, Frankfurt beat Rangers in the final to win the Europa League in 2022 and they reached the knockout stages of the Champions League, qualifying from the same group as Tottenham, the following year.
Under-pressure Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou may have to win the Europa League to save his job. And Big Ange is in the last chance saloon to maintain his proud record of lifting a trophy in his second season at every club he has managed.
Premier League games involving Spurs have produced more goals this season than any other club - 105 in 31 matches, and only Liverpool (72) have scored more than Tottenham’s 58.
But their perpetual weakness at the back, where injuries have forced Postecogloou to play 16 different combinations in defence, makes Frankfurt favourites to go through.
Glasner’s Palace have lost only one more Premier League game than third-placed Nottingham Forest this season.