A decision has been made regarding the future of Oliver Glassner. (Image: Getty Images)
Crystal Palace have decided against sacking Oliver Glasner despite his comments following the Eagles’ defeat to Sunderland on Saturday. Manchester United and Tottenham will no doubt be monitoring the situation closely, with the Red Devils considering a long-term replacement for Ruben Amorim and Spurs pondering Thomas Frank’s future.
Mr Glassner has come under immediate scrutiny at Selhurst Park following his recent public outburst. The 51-year-old claimed he and the team felt “abandoned” after the club accepted Manchester City’s £20m offer for Marc Gehi on Friday. According to Sky Sports, Palace chairman Steve Parish is “furious” over Glasner’s comments and is considering whether to immediately sack the Austrian, who is being touted as a permanent manager candidate at both United and Tottenham.
However, Palace are understood to want Glasner to fulfill the remainder of his contract before being replaced at the end of the season.
At a press conference before his appointment at Sunderland on Friday, Glasner revealed that he had informed Parish and the Palace board of his intention to leave the club when his contract expires in the summer.
“My decision was already made months ago,” Glassner said. “During the international break in October, I met[chairman Steve Parish]we had dinner and we had a very long conversation and then I told him that I would not be signing a new contract with Crystal Palace.
“I told the team the same thing today. I think it’s important to be clear right now, because I don’t want to ask the players, ‘What’s going on?'”
“We’ve had very busy schedules. That’s why I didn’t want to say that just because Steve and I want the same thing. We want what’s best for Crystal Palace.”
Glasner then led his Palace team to Sunderland, and although Elemy Pino gave them an early advantage, they ultimately lost 2-1, extending their winless streak to 10 games.
After the game, Glasner appeared to direct his criticism at Parrish and the Palace hierarchy. “I think the players gave it their all. We didn’t make any substitutions. Look at the bench. There’s just kids on there.
Oliver Glassner slams his club (Image: Getty Images)
“I feel completely abandoned. I don’t understand why they would sell the captain the day before the game.
“We are preparing and we were told yesterday (Friday) that our captain is being sold, so why isn’t he released next week? At least he will be available for this game and the other players will be back next week. It’s really upsetting.”
“If your heart is torn out twice a year, the day before the summer game it’s (Eberechi) Eze and the day before the game it’s the captain – I just don’t understand it.
“I’ve been playing football for 30 years and I’ve never experienced something like this. Now it happens twice every six or seven months. That’s exactly what it is like now. We’ve been playing for the last few weeks with just 12 or 13 players in the team. Some of the players are playing their 35th game right now.”
Glasner is a potential successor at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick will take over on an interim basis until the end of the season.
Carrick made a winning start to his role as interim manager, leading the side to a memorable 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Saturday.
Mr Glasner will also be keen to take Tottenham’s vacant spot should the north London club decide to part ways with Mr Frank.
