“Sunshine After a Thunderstorm” – Departing Crystal Palace Boss Oliver Glasner Strikes a Calmer Tone After Marc Guehi Sale and Exit Announcement

Crystal Palace Manager Oliver Glasner Softens Stance Following Explosive Outburst and Boardroom Tensions

Only a few days ago, it felt like Crystal Palace were teetering on the edge of a full-blown crisis. Strong words had been aired in public, emotions were raw, and the relationship between manager and hierarchy looked stretched to breaking point. Oliver Glasner, the man who delivered the greatest moment in the club’s history by lifting the FA Cup less than a year ago, had spoken with visible frustration and disappointment. His anger centred on the sale of captain Marc Guehi and what he felt was a lack of support from above.

Now, though, the mood music has changed.

Describing the past week as a “thunderstorm” followed by “sunshine”, Glasner has moved to reassure supporters that he remains fully committed to Crystal Palace until the end of the season, despite confirming that he will leave the club when his contract expires this summer. After positive talks with chairman Steve Parish, the Austrian coach has adopted a calmer, more reflective tone — though the underlying issues at Selhurst Park have not disappeared overnight.

Glasner’s Palace Fury: From FA Cup Glory to Public Frustration

Crystal Palace: Oliver Glasner ‘positive’ about European appeal –

To understand why Glasner’s outburst resonated so strongly, you have to look at the context. This is a manager who delivered unprecedented success to Crystal Palace. Winning the FA Cup last season was not just silverware; it was a landmark moment, one that cemented Glasner’s place in the club’s folklore.

Yet football moves quickly, and goodwill can evaporate faster than it’s built.

In mid-January, Glasner revealed that this season would be his last in south London. The decision, he insisted, had been made months earlier and had nothing to do with the January transfer window.

“A decision has already been taken, months ago,” Glasner explained.
“I had a meeting with Steve in October, during the international break. We had a very long talk, and I told him I will not sign a new contract. I told Steve I’m looking for a new challenge. It’s my feeling after everything.”

He was keen to stress that his relationship with Parish remained strong and that his desire to move on was not driven by bitterness or a breakdown in trust.

“We have a great relationship and always talk about what’s best for Palace,” he added.

But football, as ever, had other plans.

Marc Guehi Sale Sparks Explosive Reaction

If Glasner’s exit announcement raised eyebrows, the sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City lit the fuse. Palace’s captain, leader, and defensive cornerstone left the club just a day before a Premier League fixture — a decision that Glasner felt undermined his squad at a critical moment.

After a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland, the Palace manager did not hold back.

“I feel we are being abandoned completely,” he said.
“The worst thing is selling our captain one day before playing a Premier League game. We are preparing, it’s the first full week we are training since September, and then we sell our captain one day before a game. I have no understanding of this.”

It was an unusually emotional press conference, even by Premier League standards. Glasner spoke not just as a coach, but as someone fiercely protective of his players.

“I can’t blame any player. They did everything they could,” he continued.
“I have always kept my mouth shut, but I can’t because I have to defend these players.”

For supporters, it was a striking moment: a manager openly challenging the club’s leadership while already having one foot out of the door.

Troubles Deepen for Crystal Palace On the Pitch

Crystal Palace v Fulham – Premier League

Off-field turmoil rarely exists in isolation, and Palace’s league form has done little to ease concerns. The Eagles currently sit 15th in the Premier League, having collected just two points from their last five matches. While they are eight points clear of the relegation zone, the trajectory is worrying rather than reassuring.

Injuries, squad depth issues and now the loss of their captain have combined to create a sense of drift. To make matters worse, reports have emerged linking top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta with a potential move away from Selhurst Park. Juventus are said to be monitoring the French striker, whose contract runs until 2027.

Palace are keen to keep Mateta, but the fact that such stories are surfacing only adds to the feeling of instability.

“The Sun Is Shining Again” – Glasner and Parish Clear the Air

Fast forward a week, and the tone from Glasner is noticeably different. Speaking ahead of Palace’s next fixture, he revealed that he had spent significant time with chairman Steve Parish, discussing the situation in detail.

“I had a very long dinner with Steve this week,” Glasner said.
“We talked about the situation — not to sell Marc — it’s the timing and the possible replacement. This was the situation I wanted to explain, and it was a very good talk for both of us.”

Crucially, Glasner stressed that while his feelings were aired, his commitment has not wavered.

“Nothing changed from what I said before the Sunderland game. I will give my best to play a great season. Steve and I are 100 per cent committed that we will do our best to have a great rest of the season, a great four months together.”

The metaphor that followed summed up the shift in mood perfectly.

“This is like every relationship,” he said.
“It was a thunderstorm, but always after a thunderstorm the sun is shining. It started to shine on Wednesday when we started to train again.”

Training Ground Positivity and a Lift in Spirit

According to Glasner, the mood at the training ground has improved significantly. Honest conversations with players, a strong week of work, and clarity over the immediate future have helped steady the ship.

“Speaking always very honestly with my players, we had a very great week in training,” he said.
“Great spirit. Of course, it lifted the mood.”

That honesty has long been one of Glasner’s defining traits. It is also, at times, what has landed him in trouble. But for a Palace squad low on confidence, transparency may be exactly what is needed in the weeks ahead.

What Comes Next for Palace and Glasner?

Oliver-Glasner

The immediate challenge is a familiar one: Chelsea at Selhurst Park. A London derby against one of the league’s biggest names arrives at a delicate moment. A win could transform the atmosphere around the club. Another defeat, however, risks dragging Palace back into genuine relegation danger.

Recruitment also remains key. Replacing Guehi, or at least reinforcing the defence, feels essential if Palace are to stabilise their season. Holding onto Mateta may be just as important.

As for Glasner, his short-term focus is clear. He wants to leave Palace in a healthy position, both in the league table and emotionally, before seeking a new challenge in the summer.

The long-term questions — about the club’s direction, its recruitment strategy, and its next manager — can wait.

For now, as Glasner himself put it, the storm has passed. The sun is shining again. Whether that sunshine lasts through the rest of the season is something only results will decide.