Crystal Palace make sack decision on Oliver Glasner after furious outburst at club hierarchy

Crystal Palace make sack decision on Oliver Glasner after furious outburst at club hierarchy

Crystal Palace have chosen to retain head coach Oliver Glasner for the time being, despite internal dissatisfaction over his recent and very public criticism of the club’s leadership.

The Austrian’s position at Selhurst Park had come under intense scrutiny in the aftermath of a contentious weekend, during which his emotional remarks following a defeat sparked widespread speculation about his immediate future.

Doubts over Glasner’s tenure emerged after Palace suffered a 2-1 loss away at Sunderland on Saturday. In the aftermath of that match, the 51-year-old did not hide his frustration, openly suggesting that both he and his players had been left “abandoned” by the club’s hierarchy.

His comments were widely interpreted as a direct attack on the board and senior decision-makers, raising serious questions about whether the relationship between manager and ownership had reached breaking point.

The situation was further inflamed by events off the pitch. Glasner’s anger reportedly intensified after Palace sanctioned the sale of club captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City just 24 hours before kick-off.

Losing such a key figure so close to an important fixture was seen by the manager as a major blow, both tactically and emotionally.

Guehi had been a central figure in Glasner’s system and a leader within the dressing room, and his late departure appeared to symbolize, in Glasner’s eyes, a lack of support for the squad during a difficult period.

Given the timing and tone of his comments, speculation quickly gathered pace that Crystal Palace might opt to dismiss Glasner. Public criticism of the board is rarely tolerated in modern football, particularly when results are also going against a manager.

Palace’s form has dipped significantly, with the team currently enduring a ten-match winless run across all competitions. For many observers, this combination of poor results and public dissent seemed to point towards an inevitable parting of ways.

However, according to reports from The Telegraph, the Palace board have ultimately decided against taking such drastic action. Senior figures at the club are understood to have held internal discussions with Glasner in the days following the Sunderland defeat.

Those talks were described as frank but constructive, with both parties keen to stabilise the situation rather than escalate it further. The outcome of those meetings was a clear expectation that Glasner will remain in charge until the end of his current contract.

This decision reflects the broader context of Glasner’s spell in south London, which the Palace hierarchy continue to view as overwhelmingly positive despite recent struggles. Since his appointment in February 2024, the Austrian has overseen one of the most successful periods in the club’s history.

When he arrived, Palace were in need of renewed direction and identity, having flirted with stagnation in the Premier League. Glasner’s impact was immediate, bringing tactical clarity, intensity, and a renewed sense of belief to the squad.

The defining moment of his reign came in 2025, when he led Crystal Palace to their first-ever major trophy by lifting the FA Cup. That historic triumph instantly secured Glasner a place in the club’s folklore and significantly altered how his tenure would be judged.

For a club that had long been searching for silverware to validate its Premier League status, the achievement was transformative. It also strengthened Glasner’s standing among supporters and within the boardroom, buying him considerable credit that still holds weight today.

Beyond silverware, Glasner’s record in the Premier League has also been impressive. Statistically, he boasts one of the highest win percentages of any Palace manager in the competition.

Under his guidance, the team developed a more proactive and aggressive style of play, earning praise for their organisation, pressing, and attacking intent. Several players flourished under his coaching, enhancing their reputations and, in some cases, their market value.

These factors have not been forgotten by the club’s decision-makers, even as the current campaign has taken a difficult turn. While the ten-game winless run is a cause for concern, Palace’s hierarchy appear keen to separate short-term struggles from long-term progress.

They remain conscious that managerial upheaval can often exacerbate instability rather than solve it, particularly when a coach has already demonstrated his ability to deliver success.

That said, there is a strong sense that Glasner’s time at Selhurst Park is approaching its natural conclusion. The manager himself has already confirmed that he intends to leave the club in the summer, regardless of how the remainder of the season unfolds.

This admission has significantly shaped the board’s thinking, reducing the incentive to make a knee-jerk decision now when a departure has effectively been agreed for the end of the campaign.

Glasner’s confirmed summer exit has not gone unnoticed elsewhere, with Manchester United emerging as a particularly interested party. The Red Devils are understood to be monitoring the situation closely, viewing the Austrian as a leading candidate to take over on a permanent basis in July 2026.

United’s interest has intensified following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, a decision that left the club once again searching for stability and direction at the highest level.

At present, Michael Carrick is overseeing first-team affairs at Old Trafford in an interim capacity. While Carrick has earned respect within the club, there is an acknowledgement among United’s hierarchy that a long-term appointment will be required to restore consistency and competitiveness.

Glasner’s profile fits many of the criteria United are believed to be prioritising: proven success in English football, a track record of improving players, and experience of managing under pressure.

Crucially, Glasner’s availability as a free agent in the summer makes him an especially attractive option for the INEOS-led sporting department at Manchester United.

With no compensation fee required, the club would be able to invest more heavily in squad-building, a key consideration given the scale of the rebuild still needed at Old Trafford.

His FA Cup success with Palace has also demonstrated his ability to navigate knockout competitions, an area where United have traditionally placed significant value.

For Crystal Palace, the coming months are therefore likely to be defined by a delicate balancing act.

On one hand, the board must manage the immediate challenges of poor form and squad transition following high-profile departures such as Guehi.

On the other, they must prepare for life after Glasner, identifying a successor capable of building on the foundations he has laid rather than dismantling them.

In the short term, Palace’s priority will be to restore stability on the pitch and ensure that the season does not drift into disappointment.

Glasner, for his part, will be keen to leave on a positive note, protecting his legacy and reinforcing the qualities that have made him such a coveted managerial figure.

Despite the tension of recent weeks, both parties appear aligned in their desire to see the relationship through professionally until its planned conclusion.

Ultimately, while the manager’s outburst highlighted underlying frustrations, it has not been enough to outweigh the broader body of work he has produced at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace’s decision to stand by Oliver Glasner reflects a recognition of what he has already achieved, as well as a pragmatic acceptance of what lies ahead.

As the season progresses and the summer approaches, attention will increasingly turn to his next destination, with Manchester United looming large as a potential new chapter in an already impressive managerial career.