´Abandoned´ Glasner unsure on future as Palace boss takes aim at transfer policy

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner believes his squad are being “abandoned” as he took aim at the club’s transfer strategy following a 2-1 defeat to Sunderland.

In the first match since Glasner announced he would be leaving Palace at the end of the season, his side took the lead through Yeremy Pino’s goal, but Sunderland hit back before the break via Enzo Le Fee.

Brian Brobbey’s effort in the 71st minute was enough to hand the home side the three points at the Stadium of Light, leaving Palace without a win in 10 matches – the Eagles’ longest winless streak since a run of 13 games between January-March 2023 (D5 L8).

On Friday, along with confirming his impending exit, Glasner also announced that club captain Marc Guehi is finalising a move to Manchester City, while Jean-Philippe Mateta could also be on his way out of Selhurst Park.

And in fiery post-match media duties, Glasner hit out at Palace’s transfer business, and he is especially frustrated by the timing of Guehi’s exit.

“I feel we are being abandoned completely,” he told BBC Sport.

“I can’t play many players. They did everything they could and this has been going on for weeks and months now. We have 12, 13 players from the squad available and we feel no support.

“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 are selling our captain one day before a game. So I have no understanding of this.

“I have always kept my mouth [shut], but I can’t because I have to defend these players, because it was the 35th game today.

“Yes we get under pressure here and we are unlucky. But again, you can’t react, we can’t help them, it makes it really tough.”

Defeat in Sunderland. pic.twitter.com/CmfGqLQ25b

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) January 17, 2026

When asked what has led to Palace’s sudden downturn in form, Glasner was unequivocal with his response, citing Eberechi Eze’s sale to Arsenal in the late stages of the summer window as another blow.

He said: “It’s pretty clear, yeah?

“I didn’t sell anyone. If you get your heart torn out twice this season, one day before a game, it was with Eze in summer, it was with Guehi now, you know?

“What should I tell the players all the time? What should I tell them?

“I look at the bench, I can’t react, just kids on the bench, and this has not happened yesterday, this is weeks ago. That’s why I’m really frustrated.”

Asked if he will see out the season, Glasner said: “I don’t know.”

However, he then insisted he will not leave his squad in the lurch.

He added: “No, never, I would never [leave]. I will go with this group of players until the end.

“I have so much respect for their character. I see they’re disappointed and I know how hard they are working, I see how hard they are fighting at the end. Never, no chance.

“I have said to the players we have to stick together, if we don’t get the support it’s us that have to do it. There is nobody else, we are the only ones, we are the ones who have to play.”

Meanwhile, Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris praised the “maturity” of his side as they ended a five-match run without a league victory.

He told BBC Sport: “I think we showed a great level of maturity. It was really important to stay composed because we felt the quality of Crystal Palace, they are a good side.

“We showed our intentions and I think our second half was very good.”