Crystal Palace Faces Turmoil Following FA Cup Defeat and Key Departures
Following a disappointing FA Cup loss to non-league Macclesfield last weekend, Crystal Palace fans might have thought their season couldn't get any worse.
However, the announcement on Friday that captain Marc Guehi would be transferring to Manchester City for £20 million, coupled with manager Oliver Glasner's confirmation that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season, proved otherwise.
If Palace supporters hoped that Glasner, who led the club to its first FA Cup victory last season, would enjoy his final months at Selhurst Park, those hopes were dashed on Saturday. He expressed feeling that his squad was being "abandoned completely" by the club's management.
According to BBC Sport, there are currently no plans to dismiss Glasner, although pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney stated on Saturday's Match of the Day that they could not see how he could remain in charge.
This article explores the reasons behind Glasner's candid remarks and whether his criticisms were justified.
'I don't think any manager would be happy'
Glasner's frustration arises from Palace's decision to sell England international Guehi just a day before their Premier League match against Sunderland. He stated that he had spent the entire week preparing for the fixture with Guehi included in his plans, only to be informed on Friday morning that a deal had been reached with Manchester City.
"I feel we are being abandoned completely," he told BBC Match of the Day. "We have 12 or 13 players available, and we feel no support. The worst thing is selling our captain one day before a Premier League game."
Glasner likened this situation to when Palace sold key player Eberechi Eze to Arsenal at the beginning of the Premier League season, admitting that both occurrences have left him feeling as though the club's heart had been "torn out." After winning the FA Cup last season and qualifying for the UEFA Conference League, Glasner has repeatedly called for the club to strengthen its squad to compete effectively on multiple fronts. However, with less than £30 million spent on four players last summer, it is evident that his requests have gone unheeded.
Glasner's side has not won a Premier League match since December 7, and during their 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, he had to name two goalkeepers and several academy players on the bench.
European football expert Julien Laurens commented on BBC Radio 5 Live, saying, "Is it right for Glasner to be so critical of his own boss? This isn't the first time he has criticized [co-owner Steve] Parish and the board. I don’t think any manager would be happy if, on a Friday morning, they were told their captain and arguably their best player couldn't play because he was sold to Manchester City. The issue isn't just that Eze and Guehi have left; they have not been replaced. Palace will continue to serve as a feeder club for larger teams in this league."
'I don’t like what he has done'
In the summer, Parish discussed the challenges of rejecting Guehi's £35 million transfer to Premier League champions Liverpool. Currently, Palace finds itself eliminated from both the FA Cup and League Cup, and despite winning only one of their last eight Premier League matches, they are on track to remain in the top flight for a 14th season. In the Conference League, Palace will face Zrinjski Mostar in a two-legged play-off tie next month, which means the club could play just 18 matches before the season concludes.
From Parish's perspective, the decision to sell Guehi now appears logical. Former England striker Alan Shearer concurred, stating, "I understand his frustration, but when you look at Crystal Palace as a business, they would risk losing a valuable player for nothing in the summer. Therefore, getting £20 million now makes sense."
Wrexham and former Wolves defender Connor Coady expressed on BBC Radio 5 Live, "I don’t like what he has done. Seeing them argue publicly is not a good look for Crystal Palace. Palace had to sell Guehi; they are not Manchester City. I played in Europe with Wolves with a very small squad, and we never complained; we just persevered. That's just how it is."
This is not the first time Palace has sold a highly coveted player, with Michael Olise, Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie, and, of course, Eze all leaving the club for substantial fees during Parish's tenure. Former England captain Steph Houghton noted, "The evolution of football clubs means that, unfortunately, your best players often move on to clubs competing in the Champions League and European football. Players like Adam Wharton and Jean-Phillipe Mateta could be the next major names to leave, but that depends on Glasner's management."
Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onouha added on BBC Radio 5 Live, "In today’s football landscape, this might just be Palace's identity—they sign younger players and look to sell others. Glasner has done an incredible job; he deserves support, but perhaps that is not how Palace operates. Is Glasner wrong for expecting something different when that is the club’s reality?"
'If the sack was really Glasner's intention, then it has not worked with Palace'
If there is a clear example of a football manager seemingly trying to provoke his dismissal, Glasner's post-match comments on Saturday serve as a prime case. Following Crystal Palace's 2-1 loss at Sunderland, which extended their winless streak to 10 matches, Glasner, who had learned just over 24 hours earlier that Guehi was being sold to Manchester City, launched an astonishing tirade accusing the club of "abandoning" the team.
Glasner may argue that his outspoken remarks reflect his genuine feelings. However, those close to the club suspect ulterior motives behind his outburst, believing it was aimed at pressuring chairman Parish to dismiss him. Glasner has already announced his departure from Selhurst Park at the end of the season when his contract expires. With approximately £2 million still owed on his current deal, it might benefit him to leave immediately with a severance package.
If Glasner's intention was indeed to force an early exit, it appears to have backfired, as Palace has chosen not to react impulsively. Following internal discussions, the club expects Glasner to remain in his position until the conclusion of his contract at the end of the season. Conversations since the loss to Sunderland have focused on how the club can collectively improve its current poor form. Should the club and manager part ways before the summer, it seems Glasner would need to resign and forfeit any termination compensation.