Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has launched a scathing attack on the club's hierarchy, accusing them of "abandoning" the team by selling captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City. The £20 million deal has plunged the South London club into a major internal crisis just one day before a crucial match.
A Captain Sold and a Manager Undermined
The explosive row erupted after Glasner revealed he was only informed of Guehi's impending transfer at 10.30am on Friday, mere hours before his squad's final preparations for a game. The Austrian head coach was left to break the devastating news to his players that their skipper would not be available.
"Selling our captain one day before a game - there is no understanding for this," a visibly frustrated Glasner stated on Saturday. He framed his public outburst as an attempt to protect his squad, who he feels have been left exposed by the board's actions. The club's perspective is that they had little alternative, as Guehi's contract was running down and they risked losing him for free in the summer.
History Repeats as Palace Board Overrules Manager
This is not the first time the Palace board has made a major transfer decision against the manager's wishes. The club hierarchy point out that they abided by Glasner's request in the last transfer window, when they pulled out of a £35 million deal to sell Guehi to Liverpool on Deadline Day.
However, the current situation feels markedly different to Glasner. With Palace without a win in 10 games, the manager is working with a threadbare squad. His point was starkly illustrated during a recent defeat where he refused to make a single substitution, highlighting the lack of experienced options on the bench, which he described as being "made up of kids."
Future Hangs in the Balance After Damning Indictment
Glasner's extraordinary public criticism has thrown his own future at Selhurst Park into serious doubt. While he insists his comments were in the club's best interests, such a damning indictment of the regime has led to speculation he may not see out the season. The club is reportedly considering sacking the manager for his outburst.
The 51-year-old did not hold back in assessing the potential consequences, warning that Palace could be dragged into a relegation battle. He painted a picture of a demoralised group, stating: "The players left their hearts out on the pitch and now they’ve had their hearts torn out twice... It’s tough to survive. You feel that you’re being abandoned, with no support."
Glasner concluded with a stark warning to the board: "If you continue to think we can carry on like this, Crystal Palace will get the bill. Not me." As Marc Guehi undergoes his medical ahead of a move to the Premier League champions, the real drama is unfolding in South London, where a manager and a board are now at war.
