Glasner Confirms Crystal Palace Exit Amid Guehi Transfer Drama

Crystal Palace fans woke up to seismic news on Friday morning as manager Oliver Glasner, the man who delivered the club’s first-ever major trophy, confirmed he will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the 2025-26 season. The 51-year-old Austrian, who masterminded Palace’s historic 2025 FA Cup triumph over Manchester City and led the Eagles to the Community Shield just months later, revealed in a candid press conference that he had informed chairman Steve Parish of his decision way back in October during the international break.

“A decision has already been taken, months ago. I had a meeting with Steve [Parish] in October, the international break. We had a very long talk, and I told him I will not sign a new contract. We agreed at the time it was the best to keep it between us. It’s the best that we could do that and keep it confidential for three months. But now it’s important to have clarity, and we had a very busy schedule so that’s why we didn’t want to talk about it. Steve and I want the best for Crystal Palace,” Glasner explained, according to The Independent and BBC Sport.

Glasner’s announcement comes at a turbulent time for the South London club. Palace are currently mired in a nine-match winless streak in all competitions, their FA Cup defense having ended in embarrassing fashion at the hands of non-league Macclesfield just last weekend. The mood among supporters has swung from the dizzying heights of Wembley glory to the sobering reality of mid-table struggles, with the side sitting 13th in the Premier League as of January 16, 2026.

Adding to the sense of upheaval is the imminent departure of club captain Marc Guehi. The England international defender, who was pivotal during Palace’s cup run, is in the final stages of a £20 million move to Manchester City. Glasner confirmed Guehi would not feature in the upcoming Premier League fixture as he finalizes his switch to the Etihad, a move that will help Pep Guardiola’s side cope with a mounting defensive injury crisis. “Latest understanding, the deal with Marc is in the final stages,” Glasner told reporters. “When the players want to move on a deal will happen. It looks like it has happened now.”

The transfer, reportedly struck at a cut-price fee due to Guehi’s contract expiring in the summer, could rise with bonuses and a sell-on clause. Palace had previously blocked a £35 million move to Liverpool on the final day of the last transfer window, but with the risk of losing their captain for nothing, the club has now agreed to terms with City. Guehi is set to become City’s second January signing after Antoine Semenyo’s £62.5 million arrival from Bournemouth.

For Palace supporters, the double blow of losing both their inspirational manager and their captain in the same week is a lot to process. Yet Glasner was keen to stress that his decision to depart was made independently of any transfer dealings or boardroom politics. “I told Steve [Parish] I’m just looking for a new challenge,” he said. “I told him in October, it’s nothing to do with the transfer window. I hate if something is written or said which is not true, and it was very tough for me not to respond. We have a great relationship, and we’re always talking about what is best for Crystal Palace.”

Glasner’s impact on the club can hardly be overstated. Arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt in February 2024 as Roy Hodgson’s successor, he quickly stabilized a struggling side, guiding them to a 10th-place finish in his first half-season and then to 12th in his first full campaign. But it was the magical FA Cup run of 2025, capped by a famous victory over Manchester City, that cemented his legacy in South London folklore. The triumph opened the door to European football for the first time in club history, with Palace facing Liverpool in the Community Shield and embarking on a maiden voyage in the UEFA Conference League.

That European adventure continues, as Palace were drawn on Friday to face Bosnia-Herzegovina’s HSK Zrinjski Mostar in the play-off round for a place in the last 16 of the Conference League. Despite finishing 10th in the league phase, the Eagles remain in contention for further continental glory—a tantalizing prospect for fans still pinching themselves after last year’s cup success. “We had the Conference League draw today, we will play Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia in the play-off draw and I had a look at the draw tree, it’ll be quite interesting who we could play in our section. I will do everything to help bring a trophy back to Selhurst Park,” Glasner promised.

Yet the club’s progress in Europe has not been without controversy. Palace had initially hoped to compete in the Europa League this season, but were demoted to the Conference League by UEFA for breaching multi-club ownership rules—a decision later upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The setback was a bitter pill to swallow, but Glasner and his players have tried to make the most of their new continental challenge.

Through it all, Glasner has maintained a sense of perspective and humility, repeatedly emphasizing his commitment to the club and his players. “I haven’t spoken to any other club, I told the players that and promised them today I will give my best to give the best season in Crystal Palace history, the best points tally in history. We are now four points better off than we were at this stage of the season and we will do everything to bring another trophy back to Selhurst Park.”

Speculation has swirled regarding Glasner’s next destination, with reports linking him to the Manchester United manager’s job as the Premier League giants search for a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim. However, Glasner was unequivocal: he has not held talks with any other club as of January 16, 2026. The Palace hierarchy, meanwhile, has yet to comment publicly on the search for his successor, with chairman Steve Parish having previously expressed his desire to keep Glasner at the helm.

As the curtain gradually falls on Glasner’s era at Selhurst Park, there’s a palpable sense of both gratitude and uncertainty. The Austrian’s tenure has seen Palace scale unprecedented heights, but the road ahead is shrouded in questions. Can the Eagles rally for a record league points tally? Will they add another trophy before Glasner’s departure in June? And who will step up to fill the leadership void left by Guehi’s exit?

“I know that this club is in great hands where everybody wants the best for Palace and, yes, this is football,” Glasner told BBC Sport. “Not just today, we sometimes see how the best day, the FA Cup final, and worst day, Macclesfield, is within six months. That is what you have got to deal with in football.”

For now, Palace fans can only savor the memories of their historic cup triumph and hope that Glasner’s final months in charge bring more moments to cherish. The journey isn’t over yet, and with a European play-off on the horizon, the Eagles still have plenty to play for before their talismanic coach bids farewell.