Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner launched a furious attack on the club's board of directors following their 2-1 Premier League defeat to Sunderland, criticising their decision to sell captain Marc Guehi on the eve of the match.
Glasner's Scathing Critique of Palace Hierarchy
The Austrian manager, who confirmed on Friday that he will depart Selhurst Park at the season's end, expressed his complete bewilderment at the timing of Guehi's £20 million move to Manchester City. The defender was omitted from the matchday squad to finalise the transfer to Pep Guardiola's side.
Glasner revealed he was informed at 10:30am on Friday that the sale was agreed, leaving his squad without their captain for the crucial trip to the Stadium of Light. "We feel that we have been abandoned completely," Glasner told Sky Sports post-match. "Selling our captain one day before a game. Completely no understanding for this."
Defeat at Sunderland Amidst Turmoil
Palace took the lead against Sunderland but succumbed to a second-half comeback. The Black Cats equalised before half-time through Enzo Le Fee before Brian Brobbey's excellent finish sealed a 2-1 victory for Regis Le Bris's side.
The loss was compounded by what Glasner perceives as a recurring pattern of poor planning from the board. He drew a parallel with the sale of Eberechi Eze last summer, which also occurred immediately before a fixture. "Your heart gets torn out twice a year," he lamented.
Manager Questions Future and Demands Support
When questioned about whether he would see out the remainder of the season, Glasner responded, "I don't know." He emphasised his commitment to the playing squad but pointedly noted the lack of backing from above.
"I have a huge appreciation for this group of players... These players deserve Oliver Glasner as their manager and as their leader and this is what I will do," he stated. "But sometimes it would help if we have a little bit of support."
Glasner, with over three decades in football, claimed he had never experienced such disruptive transfer timing before arriving at Palace, where it has now happened twice within seven months. He also highlighted the squad's injury crisis, noting they have been playing for weeks with only 12 or 13 available senior players.
The manager's outburst places significant pressure on the Crystal Palace board, with the club navigating a difficult season and now a very public dispute with their outgoing head coach.
