Crisis at Crystal Palace! Oliver Glasner Confirms He Will Leave as Marc Guehi Nears £20m Man City Exit

Double Blow Rocks Selhurst Park as Oliver Glasner Exit and Marc Guehi Transfer Signal Major Change

Crystal Palace supporters woke up to grim news that few at Selhurst Park were prepared to hear so openly. In the space of one press conference, the club’s present and future were shaken. Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will step away from Crystal Palace at the end of the season, while captain and defensive leader Marc Guehi is edging ever closer to a £20 million move to Manchester City.

Two pillars of the current Palace project are heading for the exit. One in the dugout, the other on the pitch. For a club that has spent recent seasons trying to establish stability and identity in the Premier League, this feels like a moment of genuine crisis.

While neither decision came entirely out of the blue, the timing and blunt honesty of Glasner’s announcement has left fans uneasy. Combined with the imminent departure of Guehi, Palace suddenly look like a club standing at a crossroads, unsure which direction comes next.

Oliver Glasner Confirms Decision to Leave Crystal Palace

Speaking candidly at his Friday press conference, Oliver Glasner removed all doubt about his future. There would be no late change of heart, no dramatic U-turn. The decision had already been made, months ago.

“A decision has already been taken, months ago,” Glasner revealed. “I had a meeting with Steve [Parish] in October, during the international break. We had a very long talk and I told him I will not sign a new contract.”

The Austrian coach made it clear this was not a knee-jerk reaction to poor results or transfer frustrations. Instead, it was a deeply personal decision, rooted in a feeling that his time at Selhurst Park was nearing its natural conclusion.

“We agreed at the time it was best to keep it between us,” Glasner continued. “Now it’s important to have clarity. Steve and I both want the best for Crystal Palace.”

The tone was calm, respectful, and notably emotional. Glasner stressed his strong relationship with chairman Steve Parish, dismissing any suggestion of conflict behind the scenes.

“I’m looking for a new challenge,” he said. “It’s nothing to do with the transfer window. We have a great relationship and we are always talking about what’s best for Palace.”

For Palace supporters, the honesty may be appreciated, but it does little to soften the blow.

Marc Guehi Has Played His Last Game for Palace

Crystal Palace v Aston Villa – Premier League

If Glasner’s announcement felt like an emotional punch, the update on Marc Guehi landed like a hammer.

The Palace captain will not feature in Saturday’s Premier League clash against Sunderland, with Glasner confirming that Guehi’s £20m move to Manchester City is now at the final stages.

“His move is at the final stages,” Glasner admitted.

That confirmation effectively ends Guehi’s Crystal Palace career. His last appearance will go down as a bitter one: a shock 2-1 FA Cup defeat to non-league Macclesfield, a result that only adds to the sense of unfinished business.

Guehi, whose contract was due to expire in the summer of 2026, had become one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe. Interest from Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich was genuine, with overseas clubs able to speak to him directly over a potential Bosman deal.

Manchester City, however, moved quickly and decisively. Rather than wait, Pep Guardiola’s side pushed ahead, struck a deal with Palace, and are now set to add another elite defender to an already stacked squad.

Why Palace Accepted £20m for Marc Guehi

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On the surface, £20 million for one of England’s most consistent centre-backs may feel underwhelming. But context matters.

Guehi was approaching the final year of his contract. Palace faced a familiar Premier League dilemma: sell now or risk losing a prized asset for nothing later. Last summer, the club tried to stand firm. Liverpool came close to sealing a deal on deadline day in 2025, with Guehi even completing a medical. But Palace pulled the plug when they failed to line up a replacement.

This time, they were unwilling to take the same gamble.

Financial realities, squad planning, and the player’s own wishes all played a role. As Glasner himself has previously admitted, there is always a threshold where the financial argument outweighs the sporting one.

Manchester City crossed that line.

A Changing of the Guard at Selhurst Park

The simultaneous exits of Glasner and Guehi represent more than just two departures. They symbolise the end of a particular phase in Crystal Palace’s evolution.

Glasner brought ambition, structure, and belief to the club. Under his guidance, Palace lifted the FA Cup last season and enjoyed a rare taste of European football in the Conference League. Guehi, meanwhile, became the heartbeat of the team: calm, vocal, and dependable.

Losing both in such quick succession leaves a void that cannot be filled overnight.

Supporters are right to worry about what comes next. A new manager will need time. A new captain will need authority. Recruitment will need to be sharp, brave, and decisive.

Man United Links and Glasner’s Next Step

Unsurprisingly, Glasner’s announcement immediately reignited speculation about his next destination. Manchester United, who sacked Ruben Amorim earlier this month, were quick to be mentioned.

However, Glasner was keen to shut down that narrative.

“I haven’t spoken to any other club,” he insisted. “My focus is on completing the season with Palace.”

He also made a point of addressing his players directly, promising full commitment until the final whistle of the campaign.

“I told the players I will give my best to get the points record,” he said. “We will do everything to bring another trophy back to Selhurst Park.”

Whether that proves realistic remains to be seen, but the intent is clear.

What Next for Crystal Palace?

Fulham v Crystal Palace – Premier League

On the pitch, life goes on. Palace return to Premier League action away at Sunderland, desperate to end a run of nine games without a win in all competitions. Off the pitch, planning for a turbulent summer has already begun.

The club recently discovered their Conference League knockout round play-off opponents, Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar. European football remains a rare and precious opportunity, one that now carries extra weight given the uncertainty surrounding the club’s leadership.

Recruitment is ongoing. Brennan Johnson has already arrived from Tottenham, and further reinforcements are expected. But replacing Marc Guehi’s influence and Oliver Glasner’s authority is another challenge entirely.

Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Crystal Palace

There is no escaping it. This is a defining moment in Crystal Palace’s modern history.

The departure of Oliver Glasner at the end of the season and the £20m sale of Marc Guehi to Manchester City mark a clear turning point. Whether that turning point leads to progress or regression will depend on decisions made over the next six months.

For now, Palace fans are left with mixed emotions: gratitude for what Glasner and Guehi have given, frustration at how quickly things are changing, and anxiety about what lies ahead.

Crisis might sound dramatic. But when both your manager and captain are walking out the door, it’s a word that suddenly feels uncomfortably accurate.