He has been active as club manager in nine different countries: Italy, Sweden, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia and China.

After climbing 3 divisions in 3 years, Palmgren got an offer in 1993 from Francesco Graziani to coach Primavera team FC Arezzo to explore a professional managing career.

After two years with Thanda, he got offered to become sport director with the South African team Amazulu FC[7][8] , and short thereafter head coach.

[10][11] Unfortunately he didn't stay long as he and his family were threatened by supporters and decided to resign[12] Palmgren relocated to China, and started working as Sven-Göran Eriksson's assistant coach in the Chinese Super League with the team Guangzhou R&F.

[13] On 5 September 2018, Palmgren was appointed as assistant manager of the Swedish club side IF Brommapojkarna, following the sacking of Luís Pimenta.