Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has announced that he will be leaving the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, citing his desire to take on a “new challenge” after nearly two years at Selhurst Park.
The Austrian explained ahead of Saturday’s game against Sunderland that he had told Palace owner Steve Parish in October that he did not intend to renew his existing contract, ending months of speculation over his future.
Glasner has long been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park following much public dissatisfaction over transfer business during last summer’s transfer window, but he suggested it was only his second season in Europe, having failed to build on last season’s historic FA Cup win.
The manager, who had already revealed that captain Guehi was on the verge of being sold, said he had kept the news a secret for the final months of 2025 due to the club’s busy schedule and only told his players in the early hours of Friday morning ahead of their trip to the Stadium of Light.
“The decision was already made several months ago. I met with Steve (Diocese) in October during my international holiday,” he said.
“We had a very long discussion and I told him I would not sign a new contract.
“At the time we agreed that it was best to keep it secret, so it was best to keep it secret for three months. I think it’s important to be clear now, so I said that to the team today.”
“I didn’t want to talk about it because I had a very busy schedule. Steve and I want to do what’s best for Crystal Palace.”
Glasner did not reveal the exact reason for his departure, but said he was unaffected by business in January and has not spoken to other clubs about his next position.
“I told Steve I was just looking for a new challenge. I told him in October that it had nothing to do with the transfer market. I hate when things are written or said that aren’t true and it was very difficult not to respond to them. We have a great relationship and we always talk about what’s best for Crystal Palace.”
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As well as his own departure, Glasner revealed that captain Marc Gehi was in the final stages of completing his departure from the club in January.
“I have not spoken to any other clubs. I have told the players that and I have promised them today that we will do everything we can to help Crystal Palace have the best season in their history. We are four points clear of where we were at this stage of the season and we will do everything we can to bring another trophy back to Selhurst Park.”
“We had the conference league draw today and we will be playing Zrinjski Mostar from Bosnia in the play-off draw, so I looked at the draw tree and it will be very interesting to see who we play in our section.”
“We will do everything we can to bring the trophy back to Selhurst Park.”
Glasner: “I wanted to announce my departure before the transfer window”
Glasner said his personal preference was to announce his departure before the start of the winter transfer window to avoid speculation that the club’s performance in January influenced his decision, but that idea had been ruled out.
Rather, he suggested that clarity about his future could be a catalyst for shake-ups in the club’s structure. They have not won in their last nine games in all competitions.
“I spoke to Steve. We probably wanted to announce it before the transfer window because there were rumors that my decision was being influenced, but we decided it wasn’t the best time and signing Brennan Johnson was a great signing for the club early in the transfer window,” he said.
“Also, with this tight schedule, I didn’t want to do it after winning five games in a row, because I could probably lose one game and I know why!”
“We felt this was a good moment that could have helped us turn things around to win and that’s the best thing we can do for Crystal Palace.”
Amazing press conference marking the end of a historic era
Analysis by James Savandra of Sky Sports
An astonishing press conference. It’s rare to be in a room and witness a manager confirming that the captain is about to leave and then confirming that he is also leaving.
It speaks volumes about Oliver Glassner that he is willing to provide that level of clarity. Crystal Palace fans will probably wish he wasn’t there.
Two of the most important figures in the club’s recent history will soon be leaving south London. As for Marc Gehi, there was always a suspicion that he would leave this month, although there is still time left in the transfer window. Mr. Glassner could never provide a guarantee.
Steve Parish has openly admitted that allowing a major asset to leave for free is problematic for a club like Crystal Palace. We’ll be looking forward to seeing what Palace can do with the £20m they’ve acquired by signing Guehi.
As for Glasner’s future, his level of success at Palace meant he was always linked with the biggest managerial vacancy in European football. I always felt he was more likely to leave than stay. However, the timing of this announcement was still shocking. Having won the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt and the FA Cup with Crystal Palace, it may be time for him to step up and see what he can do at one of the world’s biggest clubs. For now, his focus remains on lifting another piece of silverware with the Eagles.
Have Palace fans’ biggest fears come true?
Analysis by Sky Sports’ Nick Wright:
Crystal Palace fans are faced with a nightmare scenario. Minutes after announcing Mark Gehi’s departure at Friday’s press conference, Oliver Glasner confirmed his own departure when his contract expires in June. Captain and manager, leave.
The loss of Guehi is the immediate concern. Palace are on a nine-game winless run heading into Saturday’s game against Sunderland. Now they must go to the Stadium of Light, where Regis Le Bris’ side are unbeaten this season, without their leader and best player.
The difficult task has become considerably tougher for Palace as they look to shake off the sense of crisis following Saturday’s FA Cup defeat to non-league side Macclesfield. And that’s before considering everything else they have to come into this season.
Everything looks more difficult without Guehi, but now Palace fans are convinced that they will soon be without the most successful manager in their history. Glasner’s place in Palace history was secured as he led Palace to FA Cup and Community Shield glory. But can they get them back on track this season?
Just six weeks ago, a late win against Fulham lifted them into the Premier League’s top four. They currently sit in 13th place, looking down rather than up, looking into the future without a captain and soon also a manager.
