Crystal Palace Circle Southgate as Glasner's Position Crumbles

Crystal Palace have begun overtures to Sir Gareth Southgate about taking the helm on a temporary basis, with Oliver Glasner's position becoming increasingly untenable at Selhurst Park.

The former England manager has been out of work since departing his post following the Three Lions' second consecutive European Championship final defeat to Spain in Germany. That setback came eighteen months ago, and a Premier League return has eluded him ever since.

Southgate's managerial pedigree at club level remains limited. His solitary taste of club football came during a three-year spell with Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009, having previously served the Teesside outfit as a player. The landscape of the modern game has shifted seismically in the intervening years, making any transition to domestic football far from straightforward after eight years steering the national team.

There is, however, a personal connection to the Palace project. Southgate emerged through the Eagles' academy system before progressing to make seven first-team appearances, sandwiching a stint at Southampton in between. The 55-year-old has something of a habit of returning to his old stomping grounds—a trend that could yet continue.

Glasner's stock has plummeted dramatically. Twelve months ago, following Palace's maiden major trophy triumph in the FA Cup, the Austrian was being courted by elite outfits across Europe. Fast forward to the present day and the narrative has inverted completely.

The campaign has unravelled spectacularly following an encouraging opening. Palace currently languish in 14th position, their sole victory in the last eleven league fixtures a damning indictment of their recent trajectory. The relegation dogfight looms increasingly large as the clubs threatening the drop continue gathering momentum—save for Tottenham, who jettisoned Thomas Frank in favour of ex-Juventus manager Igor Tudor.

This week alone has piled further misery upon Glasner's shoulders. Palace's FA Cup defence crumbled at the first hurdle against non-league Macclesfield Town, whilst their Europa Conference League play-off opener finished level at 1-1 away to Zrinjski, Bosnia and Herzegovina's second-ranked outfit.

Glasner's contract expires come summer, guaranteeing a managerial shuffle. The Austrian has publicly insisted he intends fulfilling his obligations, yet owner Steve Parish may find circumstances force his hand before then. The pressure cooker has reached boiling point, with Palace supporters having seemingly abandoned their manager to his fate.

An interim solution in Southgate's form represents the safest harbour through choppy waters, according to reports of Palace's thinking. His affiliation with the club—both nostalgic and practical—makes him an appealing proposition. Yet the Eagles remain reluctant to commit beyond the season's conclusion, with Thomas Frank earmarked as their primary target to assume permanent control come summer.

Whether Southgate would entertain such a proposition remains uncertain. What is clear is that a Premier League return appears increasingly within touching distance for the 55-year-old, even if only on a temporary footing.