Oliver Glasner Attacks Crystal Palace Board Over Marc Guehi Transfer After Sunderland Defeat

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner unleashed a fierce critique against the club's board following a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Sunderland, pinpointing their handling of Marc Guehi's summer transfer as a pivotal misstep that has hampered the team's progress.

The loss at the Stadium of Light exposed ongoing frailties in Palace's squad, particularly in attack and defensive stability. Glasner, visibly frustrated in his post-match press conference, lambasted the board for failing to secure adequate replacements after Guehi's high-profile departure to Chelsea. "We let our best defender go without a proper plan," Glasner stated, highlighting how the club "sleepwalked through the transfer window," leaving the backline exposed and contributing to a string of poor results[1][3].

Glasner's outburst comes amid a dismal run, with Palace struggling in the lower reaches of the Premier League table. The Sunderland match saw Palace dominate possession but falter in chance conversion, mirroring broader issues like a significant expected goals (xG) differential—the worst in the league, having underperformed by 8.4 goals this season[1]. He pleaded for January reinforcements, emphasizing a "lack of finishing quality" and depth to replace departed stars like Ismaila Sarr, Daniel Munoz, and Daichi Kamada[1].

"It's pretty clear what we need," Glasner told reporters. "The patterns work, the chances are there, but closer to goal, we get nervous. The board must act—it's their decision, but our players need support now."[2] Echoing this, former Palace boss Alan Pardew urged the American-owned board to back Glasner, whose contract expires in summer, calling him vital to the club's future[1].

The tirade underscores mounting pressure on Palace's hierarchy, with fans and pundits demanding action to avert relegation. Glasner's bold stance could galvanize change or strain relations, but his passion for the Eagles remains evident[3].

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