Crystal Palace are reportedly considering sacking their manager, Oliver Glasner, after his recent outburst directed at the club's board. The Austrian manager publicly criticized the club's hierarchy following their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, expressing that he felt "completely abandoned" by them.
Glasner's discontent stemmed from the club's transfer policy, specifically the decision to sell club captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City just a day before the Sunderland match. He revealed that he learned about the transfer only hours before it was announced, leaving him feeling unsupported and unable to properly prepare his team. He also alluded to Eberechi Eze's departure to Arsenal in August, highlighting the repeated disruption to his squad.
"Your heart gets torn out twice in a season, one day before a game," Glasner lamented, referencing the sales of Eze and Guehi. "It's tough to survive. That's how it feels like right now. We feel that we're being abandoned. There's no support".
The Crystal Palace chairman, Steve Parish, is said to be "bemused and angered" by Glasner's comments. He is reportedly weighing his options and considering whether to part ways with the manager despite Glasner's contract running until the end of the 2025-26 season. A decision is expected soon.
Glasner had already announced his intention to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season, a decision he said was made in October. However, his recent remarks suggest a potential for an earlier departure. He stated that he felt the club was content with merely avoiding relegation, a sentiment he believed was not shared by the players.
Despite the turmoil, Glasner has affirmed his commitment to the players, stating he would "never step back" from his role. He emphasized his desire to protect them and felt compelled to voice his concerns publicly to ensure their needs are addressed. "I need to protect my players - it might be with me or another manager, I don't care," he said.
Glasner was appointed as Crystal Palace manager on February 19, 2024, signing a contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. In his first full season, he led the team to their first major trophy, winning the FA Cup and securing qualification for the Europa Conference League. Last season, the team finished in twelfth place with a club record of 53 points.
Currently, Crystal Palace sits 13th in the Premier League, 11 points clear of the relegation zone. The potential sacking of Glasner would mark a significant shift for the club, especially after his successful tenure and recent FA Cup victory.
