Image source: skysports.com
Oliver Glasner launched a scathing attack on Crystal Palace’s hierarchy after revealing he was informed just hours before their match at Sunderland that captain Marc Guehi would be sold to Manchester City, describing the timing as completely abandoning the team during their difficult period.
Glasner Hits Out at Palace Hierarchy Over Last-Minute Guehi Sale Decision
The Austrian manager confirmed that Guehi would not feature in Saturday’s match at the Stadium of Light as the defender was set to complete a £20 million move to Manchester City. Glasner revealed he was only told about the sale at 10.30am on Friday morning, less than 24 hours before kick-off against Sunderland, leaving him furious at the timing of the decision.
Crystal Palace suffered a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland, extending their winless run to ten games across all competitions. Glasner made no substitutions during the match, pointing to a bench filled with youth players as evidence of his squad’s depleted state. The manager expressed his bewilderment at the hierarchy’s decision to sell their captain at such a crucial moment in the season.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat, Glasner said the players gave everything they could but felt completely abandoned by the club’s leadership. He stated that selling the captain one day before a game showed no understanding of the team’s situation, particularly given Palace’s injury problems and limited squad depth. The manager revealed this was the second time in seven months that a key player had been sold immediately before a match, referencing Eberechi Eze’s departure in the summer.
Glasner emphasized his commitment to the current group of players despite the challenging circumstances, stating he would never step back because the squad deserves his leadership. He criticized the lack of support from the hierarchy, noting that Palace have been playing with just 12 or 13 available players for weeks, with some players having already made 35 appearances this season. The manager confirmed he had previously announced his intention to leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season after declining to renew his contract.
The defeat leaves Crystal Palace in a precarious position as their poor run continues, with Glasner questioning whether other teams would make such decisions on the eve of important matches. Sky Sports pundit Tim Sherwood suggested that Glasner wants to leave the club as quickly as possible, arguing that the manager knew Palace was a selling club when he accepted the position and that his public comments reflect his desire for an immediate exit.
