Oliver Glasner talks about his breakout, his future, Jean-Philippe Mateta and conversations with Crystal Palace owner Steve Parish.
Glasner said his emotional press conference last week was based on frustration over the timing of Guehi’s departure (agreed in principle a year ago but announced 28 hours before a game).
He said he cared deeply for the club and players but had no regrets about expressing his feelings, but also admitted it was not the ideal path.
As for his future at Crystal Palace, he confirmed that he had made up his mind months ago and wanted to announce by the end of December that he would not be renewing his contract and would be leaving at the end of the season, and that this had nothing to do with transfers.
He had a long, positive dinner with owner Steve Parish this week to clear the air, with both 100% committed to a strong finish to the season.
“I agreed to sell Marc (Guehi) a year ago”
Oliver Glasner explains why he claimed he felt his Crystal Palace team had been let down and reveals he understands the club will always sell players when they receive big offers. pic.twitter.com/IbOUF4R79m
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 23, 2026
“He hasn’t submitted a transfer request and we haven’t received any offer at the moment”
Oliver Glasner reveals that Jean-Philippe Mateta did not ask to leave Crystal Palace this month and that he will play tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/ztMELB8mNe
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 23, 2026
Glasner said, according to BBC Sport: “I was quite emotional after the game, which I think shows how much the players and Crystal Palace mean to me. Some might say: ‘Why do you care?’ but that’s how I am. I’m committed to the club, but because of all the circumstances, and it’s not that we sold him (Marc Guehi). I agreed to sell Marc a year ago in February, it’s just a matter of time and replacement.
“I know Crystal Palace will always sell players when they have big offers from other clubs.
“It’s just the situation of telling a team 28 hours before a Premier League game that their captain is leaving. That was my feeling at that moment and that’s what I tried to express. It feels like criticism, but I was just expressing the feelings that the team and I had.”
I had a very long dinner with Steve (Parish) this week and we talked about the situation of not selling Marc, the timing and a possible replacement. I wanted to explain and it was a very good conversation for both of us, but nothing changed what I said in the press conference before the Sunderland game when I said I would do my best for a great season and Steve and I are still 100% committed.
“I know the club is working very hard to do the right things and it’s not that easy to find and replace a right centre-back. We are discussing whether we should do something different and we know that, but at that moment I felt that we could do better for the success of the team and Crystal Palace.”
“It was a thunderstorm, but after a thunderstorm the sun shines and it started when we started training again. We had a very great week of training, great atmosphere and of course it lifted the spirits that Munoz and Sarr came back. Everything is fine.”
On whether Guehi could have stayed for the game against Sunderland: “It’s gone. It makes no sense, Marc is gone and the game is over.”
“He was our captain, he had a great time for Palace, he always supported the team and consistently played at such a high level. I wish him all the best and I expect him to make his debut on Saturday and I wish him all the best, he has signed for a big club here in England. We are looking forward and not looking back at what happened. Everything has been sorted out between Steve and I.”
“Steve Parish is a great guy, Oliver Glasner is a nice guy and if two nice guys really talk to each other, there won’t be a problem.”
On the question of whether his announcement that he was leaving the club surprised the board: “No, never. To be honest, I had planned to say it by the end of December because I wanted to avoid anyone saying: ‘Oliver isn’t happy with the transfer window and that’s why he’s leaving’ – that has nothing to do with it.”
“But then there were all these reasons, all these games and we decided to wait three game weeks.”
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirms he will not sign a new contract at the end of the season
On reports that Jean-Philipe Mateta wants to leave: “Clearly. He hasn’t submitted a transfer request and we haven’t received any offer at the moment. That’s the situation.”
Have you talked to him about it? “I talk to a lot of players about different topics, but it’s a service I don’t talk about publicly.”
On the need to replace it when a large offer comes in: “I repeat what I said two weeks ago – (for) every player there is a price that a club says OK. I’m assessing the whole situation – age, contract, term and a price where the club says ‘Okay, we’ll agree a deal’ but no offer has come in and he hasn’t submitted a transfer request and he’ll play on Sunday.”
When asked if he regrets his comments after the Sunderland game: “No, I don’t regret it. Do I think it was the best way? No, I don’t think so, but that’s Oliver Glasner. I always told you, that’s Oliver Glasner.
“It’s part of what we’ve achieved together that I’m emotional. It helps build spirit, togetherness and faith, sometimes it’s not the best possible way, but that’s me. I’m not saying I’m perfect, I’d like to be. I’ve never attacked anyone personally, I’ve just explained my feelings.”
Here’s the reaction on social media as Oliver Glasner talks about his outburst, his future, Mateta and talks with palace owner Steve Parish…
Although I’m sure he said that in good faith, I’m not sure the fans will fully accept the statement “This shows how much Palace means to me” when you decided three months ago that you wanted out at the end of the season. https://t.co/KcWmxdu3tV
– HLTCO (@HLTCO) January 23, 2026
@jtlcubs23: Glasner’s outburst was probably an attempt to get fired. But after speaking to Parish he probably understands that Palace won’t let him leave early without financial compensation and if he doesn’t start winning games the job offers could dry up by the summer. Now new setting.
@andylatts: That’s the Glasner I know! I’m glad he explained everything and was his usual self. Hopefully the club and fan base can carry on, we hope we get the players we need and get behind the team for the rest of the season! #cpfc
@barrie8: I felt for Glasner. I think he was really disappointed about Eze. And I firmly believed that we could hit the jackpot with him here this season, the belief that remained with Ebs. It also looks like he misses his family, which you can’t blame him for. This likely has a big impact on his decision making.
@Alex6264: It’s all about him. If you start referring to yourself in the third person, you’ve lost it. Wanted to be sacked so he could move on and blame the club. Didn’t work out, couldn’t get away without damaging his brand, so now fully invested. Cynical nonsense. Disappointing.
@fant1345: I can’t get over the fact that he actually refused to substitute a single player at Sunderland – just so he could prepare for his post-match tantrum. He didn’t want to save a point, he wanted to score one. That’s how much Palace means to him…
@gidleymike: It certainly affected his legacy among fans. This gesture of hope that we had that he would discuss his future with SP as soon as fixtures permitted was so rejected that he could rightly be accused of forgery. We are unlikely to regain the full trust we enjoyed.
@22deans: If Crystal Palace means so much to him, why not sign him to a new contract!
@ljbrameld: I find it difficult to believe that. I can see that you love some of the players – but beyond that there is no evidence that we mean that much to you.
@robertmark1976: After listening to the Glasner press conference, I’m optimistic again. Let’s hope things go onwards and upwards COYP #cpfc
@DeePalace_: I just finished Glasner’s press conference and it feels like the air has been cleared between him and Parish. He said after Tuesday he felt good again and was ready to win games. Sarr and Muñoz are back, hopefully we’ll continue. If his head is in it, there is still a chance to make history this season
@neiog: Wow, I’m just listening to Oliver Glasner express his conviction. All questions in today’s press conference were answered intelligently and well. What a top man! No formal transfer request submitted by Mateta. Dinner with Steve Parish this week and everyone pulling together for the next 4 months
@dhugh3sy: Why should we believe a word Glasner says?
@ballerjoe_cpfc: A lesson in not believing everything you read: Mateta has NOT submitted a transfer request. Glasner met Parish for dinner, both expressed their grievances and will move forward positively. Glasner apologized and pointed out how important it is to him that the #cpfc club was behind the outbreak
@SteveK1969: So Mateta hasn’t submitted a transfer request and Glasner has confirmed that he is 100% committed to helping Palace finish the season well. Can we please draw a line now and get behind the team? #cpfc
