Francis Jeffers, the assistant manager of Macclesfield, has disclosed that he observed a heated confrontation between Marc Guehi and Oliver Glasner during Crystal Palace's shocking FA Cup defeat last month. This incident occurred just weeks before Guehi's high-profile transfer to Manchester City was confirmed.
The Tunnel Confrontation
Speaking on The Wayne Rooney Podcast, Jeffers revealed that he saw Guehi and Glasner "going at it" in the tunnel at half-time during Macclesfield's historic 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup third round. "I'm walking past them and I thought, 'I like that'. There is an edge to that," Jeffers commented, suggesting the argument indicated significant tension within the Palace camp.
Impact on Macclesfield's Strategy
Jeffers admitted he informed Macclesfield players about the disagreement between the Palace manager and captain, believing it showed they had "rattled their cage." This insight may have contributed to Macclesfield's confidence as they secured one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history against the Premier League side.
Palace's Downward Spiral
The FA Cup defeat marked the beginning of a difficult period for Crystal Palace. Since that loss, the team has managed only one victory in all competitions under Glasner's management. The Austrian manager has since announced he will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season, with his departure confirmed on the same day Guehi's transfer to Manchester City was finalized.
Glasner's Frustration
Glasner expressed clear dissatisfaction with the club's decisions, particularly regarding Guehi's sale. "The worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game," he stated. "We are preparing, it's the first week we are training since September, and then we are selling our captain one day before a game. So I have no understanding of this."
He further emphasized his frustration with limited squad availability, noting, "I feel we are being abandoned completely. Because I can't play many players. They did everything they could and this has been going on for weeks and months now. And we have 12, 13 players from the squad available and we feel no support."
Broader Implications
The tunnel argument and subsequent transfer highlight deeper issues at Crystal Palace during a turbulent season. With Glasner departing and key players like Guehi leaving, the club faces significant challenges in maintaining stability and performance. The incident underscores how internal conflicts can become public during high-pressure moments, affecting team morale and strategic decisions.
Macclesfield, meanwhile, continues its remarkable FA Cup run, preparing to host another Premier League opponent, Brentford, in the fourth round. Their victory over Palace remains a testament to the unpredictable nature of cup competitions and the potential for smaller clubs to capitalize on disarray within larger teams.
