With the announcement of Oliver Glasner’s arrival at Crystal Palace, the club are expected to appoint former Middlesbrough defender Emanuel Pogatetz to the Austrian’s backroom staff, according to the latest reports.
The Eagles had been on a dismal run of form under former manager Roy Hodgson, picking up merely one victory in his last six games in charge in all competitions and just three wins since September.
On Monday afternoon, it was announced that the legendary coach would be stepping down from his position at Selhurst Park. Hodgson had been in charge of Palace for almost a year during his second stint with the Londoners before his departure was made public by the club, although this news was already reported days before it was even made official.
Former VfL Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt head coach Glasner has been placed in charge of the side, signing a contract until the end of the 2025/26 season in what is his first job in English football. On the club statement marking his arrival, it read “Oliver’s coaching staff will be confirmed in due course.”
The new boss.#CPFC | #EVECRY pic.twitter.com/oYZSlEcGkv
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 19, 2024
However, it was revealed last week by Sky Germany, via Sport Witness, that former Middlesbrough star Pogatetz will be on Glasner’s coaching staff, while The Athletic’s Raphael Honigstein has confirmed that the ex-Austria international will act as a go-between for the new manager and the players.
Pogatetz first moved to England in 2005 when he was signed by Steve McClaren at the Riverside Stadium for a reported £1.8 million. After five years and 123 appearances, he made the switch to West Ham United and featured for a number of other clubs before hanging up his boots in 2019 and taking the leap into coaching. This journey has landed him back in London.
Writer’s View
Pogatetz had a reputation during his time with Middlesbrough as being somewhat of a fiery figure on the football pitch, earning the nickname ‘Mad Pog’ and even causing the great Sir Alex Ferguson to lose his temper for a tackle on Manchester United player Rodrigo Possebon during an EFL Cup game back in 2008.
However, with the dust fully settled on his lengthy career, the 41-year-old will be hoping to be successful with Palace as a coach under Glasner, putting any ill feelings from his time as a player well and truly behind him.
