Oliver Glasner is renowned for his entertaining exchanges with the press but even by his standards, Friday’s bombshell announcements were jaw-dropping.
In the space of a couple of minutes, Crystal Palace lost their captain and their manager. Glasner confirmed Marc Guehi was on the verge of joining Manchester City before casually adding that he himself would be leaving the club at the end of the season.
Both developments had been on the cards, but the manner of the announcements, delivered one after the other, was shocking. Palace supporters would have been forgiven for thinking the club was tearing apart in front of their very eyes.
It was Guehi’s impending departure that prompted Glasner to go public, but it was not the catalyst for his decision. That had already been communicated to chairman Steve Parish over dinner back in October.
While Glasner has consistently painted the picture of a collaborative and cordial relationship with Parish - claiming as recently as last month that there would be final contract talks in January and that no decision had been made on his future - tensions have long existed beneath the surface.
In his first summer at the club, in 2024, Glasner was frustrated by Palace waiting until deadline day to complete their final four signings, and the lack of time he had to properly instil his ideas in his squad. Palace went on to make the worst start to a top-flight season in their history, although it ultimately ended as their best - achieving a record points tally and winning the FA Cup.
This term, Glasner again aired his frustrations publicly after a defeat by Manchester United in November, criticising the club’s transfer policy and a lack of squad depth.
The sale of Eberechi Eze in the summer had exacerbated those frustrations. Glasner wanted his talisman and FA Cup-winning goalscorer replaced with three attackers to help spread the load, but Palace delivered only two. Yeremy Pino arrived for £26million and Christantus Uche joined on loan, yet the side have struggled in front of goal, consistently underperforming their xG.
Playing in four competitions this season, Palace failed to recruit the depth required to compete across the board. They entered the season with just one natural option on the right-hand side in both key roles: Daniel Munoz at wing-back and Ismaila Sarr in attack.
Sarr was always expected to miss part of the campaign due to the Africa Cup of Nations. His absence, compounded by an injury to Munoz, led to a predictable breakdown in Palace’s attacking play. A lack of planning for those eventualities has proved costly, with Palace paying the price in a run of nine games without a win.
Since Glasner’s arrival, Palace have underdelivered in the transfer market - despite assuring him that lessons had been learned from leaving the squad short and acting too late. When the same problems occurred in consecutive seasons, the Austrian lost trust in the club sticking to their word.
A significant squad overhaul is expected this summer, but Glasner has seen little evidence that Palace can effectively build a complete squad, making his decision to depart a calculated one.
Although losing the most successful manager in the club’s history will sting, this summer represents an ideal point for transition.
Palace plan to sell England international Adam Wharton, who is expected to command a fee in the region of £80m. Jean-Philippe Mateta’s contract talks have stalled completely, with the striker keen to leave before his deal expires in 2027, while Daichi Kamada is out of contract and likely to depart after arriving under Glasner.
Despite the opportunity to rebuild, there is concern that Palace’s best days may now be behind them, particularly following the departure of sporting director Dougie Freedman, who was instrumental in assembling a squad whose value steadily appreciated.
Even with Glasner’s future now clear, the January transfer window remains a critical juncture. The hierarchy are focused on the long term but recognise the short-term opportunity to win the Conference League and secure back-to-back European campaigns. As a result, they must still back Glasner despite his upcoming exit.
Brennan Johnson has already been brought in for a club-record fee, and with Glasner communicating his decision to the Palace hierarchy last year, that indicates they remain on the same page.
Palace are targeting a right wing-back, a central midfielder and a striker this month. Mateta could still depart in January, which would force Palace to add two strikers.
Angers forward Sidiki Cherif is keen on a move regardless, with Palace already making an initial approach, while Wolves striker Jorgen Strand Larsen would be considered if Mateta leaves.
Replacing Guehi - on whom Palace have made a profit despite the England international having only five months left on his deal - presents another major challenge.
At centre back, 19-year-old Jaydee Canvot and midfielder Jefferson Lerma are the only options available to support Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards in a back three.
For any potential arrivals, the uncertainty surrounding the club has made the sales pitch significantly tougher. Palace are now a club in limbo, and potential recruits may be reluctant to join a side whose best days could be behind them. That said, Palace's January targets have been determined for several months.
There is a growing concern that the wheels could come off in Glasner’s final months. The challenge now is keeping players engaged despite his looming exit.
Yet it also presents an opportunity. Palace can refocus on a single, collective goal: winning the Conference League final in Leipzig in May. Glasner hopes that will be his final match in charge, and it would be a fitting send-off for the most successful manager in the club’s history. What lies beyond is unclear, although Jose Bordalas of Getafe and Rayo Vallecano's Inigo Perez are said to be two names in the frame to replace Glasner.
While the Austrian insists his sole focus is Palace, the Manchester United job could be an option following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal and Michael Carrick’s appointment as interim manager until the end of the season.
United’s director of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, is understood to be an admirer of Glasner, who is among the candidates under consideration.
Glasner has framed his decision as a desire for a new challenge. His career has been built on success where it was not expected, but now he wants to push himself outside his comfort zone and prove he can deliver where it is demanded.
The United job has been a poisoned chalice since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, but Glasner will believe he can be the man to turn it around.
Glasner came to England to elevate his CV and prove he could compete with the elite. He has done exactly that. Delivering the first trophies in Crystal Palace’s 121-year history confirmed his credentials and propelled him firmly into the conversation for football’s biggest jobs.