Key Highlights
- Cristal Palace manager Oliver Glasner expresses frustration over squad departures and lack of support.
- Glasner criticizes selling captain Marc Guehi one day before a Premier League match.
- The Austrian coach believes his team is being abandoned by the club hierarchy.
- Glasner insists on staying with the group until the end of the season despite criticism from former players and experts.
Crystal Palace Manager’s Frustration: “We Are Being Abandoned Completely”
Cristal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed deep frustration over what he believes is a lack of support from the club’s hierarchy, stating that his squad feels “abandoned completely.”
Managerial Struggles and Squad Departures
Glasner, who led the team to their first major trophy in May when they defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final, has been at the center of a turbulent period for the club. He recently announced his intention to leave Palace at the end of the season, citing no direct connection between his decision and the transfer dealings that followed.
However, after their 2-1 loss against Sunderland on Saturday, Glasner intensified his criticism of the club’s management decisions. He specifically highlighted the sale of captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City as a major concern, stating, “The worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game.”
Support and Team Morale
Glasner went on to say that he feels his team is receiving no support in replacing the departing players. He highlighted that they have only 12 or 13 squad members available for matches, emphasizing their difficulty in preparing for games under these circumstances.
The manager added, “I feel we are being abandoned completely. I can’t blame any player. They did everything they could and this has been going on for weeks and months now.”
Future Uncertainty
Glasner’s comments have raised questions about his future with the club. Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, former Crystal Palace goalkeeper Shay Given said that he is surprised by Glasner’s decision and believes it could lead to an abrupt end to his tenure.
Given remarked, “I’ll be surprised if he sees Monday morning, never mind the end of the season,” highlighting the severity of Glasner’s outburst. Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha agreed, saying that Saturday’s loss may have been the final straw for the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss.
Glasner defended his decision by stating, “If you get your heart torn out twice this season, one day before a game, it was with Eze in the summer, it was with Guehi now…
What should I tell the players all the time? What should I tell them?”
Staying Until End of Season
Despite the criticism and uncertainty surrounding his position, Glasner remains committed to finishing the season with his current group. He emphasized that he has “so much respect for their character” and believes in sticking together as a team.
The manager concluded by saying, “I will go with this group of players until the end. I have so much respect for their character. I see they are disappointed and know how hard they are working.”
In conclusion, Crystal Palace faces significant challenges under Glasner’s leadership, as he grapples with squad departures and a lack of support from the club hierarchy.