Crystal Palace are considering whether to sack Oliver Glasner immediately or allow him to remain in charge for the final four months of his contract, after an explosive post-match press conference following Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Sunderland intensified an already toxic atmosphere around the club.
The loss extended Palace’s winless run to 10 games in all competitions and capped a disastrous week that also included an FA Cup exit to non-league opposition and confirmation from Glasner himself that he will leave in the summer. What followed at the Stadium of Light, however, shifted the situation from tense to volatile, with the manager launching a blistering attack on the club’s hierarchy over the handling of transfers and squad support.
Press Conference Fallout
Glasner accused the club of abandoning him and his players, saying the team’s “heart gets torn out twice in a season”, referencing both Eberechi Eze’s abrupt summer move to Arsenal and the late decision to sell captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City.
He revealed he only learned of Guehi’s impending departure at 10:30 on Friday morning, less than 24 hours before kick-off, adding that he then had to stand in front of his squad and explain why their leader would not be playing.
“We’re selling our captain one day before a game,” he said.
“I’ve never experienced this in more than 30 years in football.”
Squad Consequences
The practical consequences were immediate. With Guehi omitted, midfielder Jefferson Lerma was forced to play in central defence, underlining Glasner’s claims that he is being asked to compete with a depleted group.
Glasner made no substitutions throughout the match, later explaining that he did not feel it was fair to take players off when, in his words, “they are leaving their hearts on the pitch”.
Club Perspective
From Palace’s perspective, the sale of Guehi is seen as unavoidable, with the defender approaching the end of his contract and the club unwilling to risk losing him for nothing. Officials also point to previous windows in which Glasner’s wishes were respected, including a late decision to block a move for Guehi to Liverpool.
Nevertheless, the timing and communication around this deal have left the relationship between manager and hierarchy severely strained.
Steve Parish’s Decision
Chairman Steve Parish is now weighing two clear options: allow Glasner to see out the remaining four months of his contract or act immediately and sack him.
Sources suggest Parish was angered and bewildered by the tone and content of Glasner’s comments, which were perceived as crossing a line from frustration into open confrontation.
What Happens Next
On the pitch, Palace’s defeat followed a familiar script: a strong start, a lead taken, then collapse under pressure. Off the pitch, the club now faces deeper questions about stability, leadership and trust.
Whether Glasner remains in charge for four months or is dismissed in the coming days, the episode has exposed deep fractures inside Crystal Palace. What began as a difficult run of form has escalated into a crisis of communication and authority, with Marc Guehi’s transfer acting as the catalyst for a very public breakdown between manager and board.
