Oliver Glasner is renowned for his entertaining exchanges with the press but even by his standards, Friday’s bombshell announcements were jaw-dropping.
In the space of a couple of minutes, Crystal Palace lost their captain and their manager. Glasner confirmed Marc Guehi was on the verge of joining Manchester City before casually adding that he himself would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Both developments had been on the cards, but the manner of the announcements, delivered one after the other, was shocking. Palace supporters would have been forgiven for thinking the club was tearing apart in front of their very eyes.
It was Guehi’s impending departure that prompted Glasner to go public, but it was not the catalyst for his decision. That had already been communicated to chairman Steve Parish over dinner back in October.
While Glasner has consistently painted the picture of a collaborative and cordial relationship with Parish – claiming as recently as last month that there would be final contract talks in January and that no decision had been made on his future – tensions have long existed beneath the surface.
In his first summer at the club, in 2024, Glasner was frustrated by Palace waiting until deadline day to complete their final four signings, and the lack of time he had to properly instil his ideas in his squad. Palace went on to make the worst start to a top-flight season in their history, although it ultimately ended as their best – achieving a record points tally and winning the FA Cup.
Oliver Glasner (right) decided he wanted to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season in October, telling chairman Steve Parish over dinner
Glasner had long been frustrated with Palace’s lethargy in the transfer window, going back to his first summer at the club
This term, Glasner again aired his frustrations publicly after a defeat by Manchester United in November, criticising the club’s transfer policy and a lack of squad depth.
Glasner wanted his talisman and FA Cup-winning goalscorer replaced with three attackers to help spread the load, but Palace delivered only two. Yeremy Pino arrived for £26million and Christantus Uche joined on loan, yet the side have struggled in front of goal, consistently underperforming their expected goals.
Competing in four competitions this season, Palace failed to recruit the depth required to compete across the board. They entered the season with just one natural option on the right-hand side in both key roles: Daniel Munoz at wing-back and Ismaila Sarr in attack.
Sarr was always expected to miss part of the campaign due to the Africa Cup of Nations. His absence, compounded by Munoz’s injury, led to a predictable breakdown in Palace’s attacking play.
A lack of planning for those eventualities has proved costly, with Palace paying the price in a run of nine games without a win.
Since Glasner’s arrival, Palace have underdelivered in the transfer market, assuring him that lessons had been learned from leaving the squad short and acting too late. When the same problems occurred in consecutive seasons, the Austrian lost trust in the club sticking to their word.
Since Glasner’s arrival, Palace have repeatedly overpromised and underdelivered in the transfer market, and the Austrian lost trust in the club sticking to its word.
A squad overhaul is expected this summer, with Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta likely to leave and Daichi Kamada out of contract. Glasner has seen little evidence that Palace can effectively replace key players, making his decision to depart while his stock is high a calculated one.
It was the impending departure of club captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City that prompted Glasner to go public with his decision in a stunning press conference
Star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta may also be on the way out after talks over a new contract for the Frenchman collapsed
Even with Glasner’s future now clear, the January transfer window remains a critical juncture. The hierarchy are focused on the long term but recognise this is a short-term opportunity to win a European trophy and secure back-to-back European campaigns. As a result, they must still back Glasner despite his impending departure.
Brennan Johnson has already been brought in for a club-record fee, and with Glasner communicating his decision to the Palace hierarchy last year, that indicates they remain on the same page.
Winning the Conference League is the club’s aim this season, but a thin squad requires reinforcement. Palace are targeting a right wing-back, a central midfielder and a striker this month. Mateta could yet depart, with talks over a new contract for the Frenchman having collapsed and less than 18 months remaining on his deal, which would force Palace back into the striker market.
Palace want to sign Angers striker Sidiki Cherif regardless as an option up front and would dip back into the market for Wolves forward Jorgen Strand Larsen if Mateta were to leave.
Replacing Guehi – on whom Palace have made a profit despite the England international having only five months left on his deal – presents another major challenge.
At centre back, 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot and midfielder Jefferson Lerma are the only options available to support Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards in a back three.
For any potential arrivals, the uncertainty surrounding the club has made the sales pitch significantly tougher. Palace are now a club in limbo, and potential recruits may be reluctant to join a side whose best days could be behind them.
There is a growing concern that the wheels could come off in Glasner’s final months. Palace are nine games without a win, and the challenge now is keeping players engaged despite his looming exit.
Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen may be a player Palace turn to if Mateta follows Guehi out of the exit door
Glasner will be desperate to sign off on a high by winning the Conference League in his last game in charge
Yet it also presents an opportunity. Palace can refocus on a single, collective goal: winning the Conference League final in Leipzig in May. Glasner hopes that will be his final match in charge, and it would be a fitting send-off for the most successful manager in the club’s history.
While Glasner insists his sole focus is Palace, attention will soon shift to what comes next. The Manchester United job could be an option following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in December and Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim manager until the end of the season.
United’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is understood to be an admirer of Glasner, who is among the candidates under consideration.
Glasner has framed his decision as a desire for a new challenge. His career has been built on success where it was not expected, but now he wants to push himself outside his comfort zone and prove he can deliver where success is demanded.
The United job has been a poisoned chalice since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but Glasner will believe he can be the man to turn it around.
Glasner came to England to elevate his CV and prove he could compete with the elite. He has done exactly that. Delivering the first trophies in Crystal Palace’s 121-year history confirmed his credentials and propelled him firmly into the conversation for football’s biggest jobs.
