Steve Parish on Crystal Palace's journey to European glory: Sometimes the good guys win
Crystal Palace won their first European trophy thanks to a second-half goal from Jean-Philippe Mateta; Oliver Glasner's final game in charge ends with a trophy lift after overseeing the most successful period in Palace's history
Thursday 28 May 2026 15:16, UK
Crystal Palace co-owner Steve Parish said "sometimes the good guys win" after the Eagles soared to their first ever European trophy by landing the Conference League.
Parish led a consortium of Palace fans who rescued the club from administration in 2010 and has established a club that is now thriving in the Premier League having won the FA Cup and the Conference League in the past 12 months.
The victory over Rayo Vallecano means Palace will be back in Europe next season in the Europa League - a competition they originally qualified for courtesy of their FA Cup win but were replaced by Nottingham Forest after a legal saga involving former investor John Textor, UEFA and Lyon regarding multi-club ownership rules.
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Speaking to TNT Sports about Palace's journey, Parish said: "It's incredible. An amazing achievement. All the ups and downs. To get to the Europa League, where we deserve to be. Just shows you sometimes the good guys win.
"When I bought the club I wasn't sure we'd ever play in Europe, let alone win a trophy. It's a dream come true. We have got a taste for it now, we want to keep it going. We have gone up a level and we have got to try and stay there. We will have a week to celebrate and then work hard in the summer."
Glasner: I can't believe this is the last game
It was the perfect ending for Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who has overseen the most successful spell in Palace's history, leaving the Eagles with their first European trophy after winning the FA Cup and Community Shield all within the last 12 months.
"I can't even believe that this was the last game," he said.
"But yes, I took this decision, and I think it's a chapter, it's, I think it's a good chapter to read in the Crystal Palace book, but other chapters will follow.
"It's the same, I said to the players, get now what you deserve after winning the FA Cup, that's the Europa League.
"So I think now it's with a one-year delay, the club, the fans, the players did get what they deserved after winning the Europa League.
"So sometimes, okay, you have to take a round trip, and now we are there. Crystal Palace is where they should be.
"I have to forward the congratulations to the players, to the team, because it was the game that we expected, but I think we played incredible 15 minutes after half-time, where we scored the goal, where we could have decided it.
"Then at the end we defended so well, fantastic evening, and I think it's really this group of players, this club, these fans deserve to win the Conference League, and that's why I'm really, really pleased tonight."
Mateta: I feel fantastic!
It was Jean-Philippe Mateta that proved the matchwinner for Palace, going from zero to hero after he nearly left the Eagles in January.
He only remained a Palace player after a knee issue denied him medical clearance for a desired move to AC Milan which left some sections of the Palace support unhappy with the France forward.
He vowed to give 100 per cent to Glasner and his team-mates, and emphatically completed his redemption arc when he pounced on the rebound of a parried Adam Wharton effort to put Palace in the ascendancy, treating the euphoric Eagles fans to his signature corner-flag kick.
He said: "I feel fantastic. We did it. Our first time in Europe, I just want to celebrate.
"It's incredible. I am tired right now, we gave everything, that's why we won today."
Palace hoping to convince Wharton & Kamada to stay
Latest from Sky Sports News' James Savundra:
Crystal Palace want to try and convince Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada to stay with the club following their Conference League triumph.
Wharton is their star midfielder and on the target lists of most big clubs in the Premier League - and he still has a contract until 2029.
He is expected to attract significant interest this summer but Palace hope he will stay at least one more season and compete with them in the Europa League next term.
Kamada is out of contract and looked destined to leave Selhurst Park, but he is understood to be keen to remain in London and the club hope they can agree a new contract.
Sky Sports News has also learned this morning that Palace have triggered an option in Jefferson Lerma's contract to keep him for one more season - so he also looks more likely to remain at the club.
Five candidates to replace Glasner already contacted
Crystal Palace are believed to have already spoken to five potential candidates to succeed Glasner.
Andoni Iraola remains the preferred option despite Palace sensing he is destined to join a bigger club.
The Palace hierarchy have been encouraged by the Spaniard's willingness to engage in conversations around becoming their next head coach.
However, Palace are ready to press ahead with one of two other options if Iraola decides not to proceed with discussions.
The other candidates are aware and accept that the former Bournemouth boss is the man that Palace want.
When speaking to Sky Sports News in the aftermath of the club's Conference League win, Parish stated he believes Europa League football next season could allow the club to access a higher calibre manager.
What's next?
Already thinking about the 2026/27 Premier League season?
There's a World Cup to fit in first - follow live blogs of every game on the Sky Sports App - but the key dates are locked in for next term, when Sky Sports will once again show at least 215 live Premier League games.
Here's your summer diary:
June 11: World Cup starts - day-by-day fixture list
June 14: Scotland's opener vs Haiti (2am)
June 15: Summer transfer window opens
June 17: England's opener vs Croatia (9pm)
June 19: Premier League fixtures released (10am)
July 19: World Cup final
August 22-23: Premier League opening weekend
August 27: Champions League league phase draw
September 1: Transfer Deadline Day (window closes at 11pm UK time)
September 8-10: Champions League matchday 1
May 30, 2027: Premier League final day
