Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner stated that he is unfazed by speculation linking him to the Manchester United position, emphasizing that he is focused solely on his current role. He acknowledged that Marc Guéhi, the club’s captain, may potentially join Manchester City this month if the financial terms are satisfactory.
Following Ruben Amorim’s recent departure, Glasner is considered one of the frontrunners for the permanent managerial role at Old Trafford. The Austrian coach, who led Palace to FA Cup victory last season, has yet to finalize a contract extension at Selhurst Park, but is not preoccupied with anything beyond his responsibilities with Crystal Palace.
“There’s a clause in my contract that prohibits me from betting, and I don’t pay attention to the odds,” the 51-year-old mentioned at a press conference on Tuesday. “I cannot provide any insider information either, as that would breach my contract. I’m the manager of Crystal Palace, and I believe it’s pointless to discuss any other club.”
Glasner further remarked, “Even if I were to sign a new contract, it doesn’t guarantee my future as managers in the Premier League can find themselves out of a job quite suddenly. Success is the only way to ensure job security in this profession.”
Potential Move for Marc Guéhi to Manchester City
The coach also acknowledged that Captain Guéhi could make a move to Manchester City if Palace receives an acceptable offer. The England defender’s contract expires at season’s end, and he nearly transferred to Liverpool last summer before Palace withdrew from negotiations on deadline day.
With injuries to Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, Pep Guardiola’s side is in need of reinforcements in central defense. On Tuesday, the City manager reported that Dias could be sidelined for up to six weeks due to a hamstring injury, while Gvardiol is set to undergo surgery on a broken shin bone.
This defensive crisis has raised the possibility of City pursuing Guéhi during the January transfer window. Glasner commented, “If a player feels they are too good for a club, it’s often best to sell, and if they aren’t good enough, they also need to be sold. To optimize your squad, it has to be a good fit.”
When questioned about Guéhi’s potential fit with City in January, Glasner replied, “It could happen. I’m not naive enough to think that if a significant offer comes from City and Marc is interested, it wouldn’t go through.”
He added, “Life isn’t simple. Imagine having a great car but needing money to fix a broken window at home. If someone offers you a fantastic price for your car, you might be tempted to sell, considering your immediate needs. It’s similar with Marc; everyone wants him to stay at Crystal Palace and sign a new contract, but if a strong offer comes and the club’s financial situation requires it, a decision may have to be made.”
Crystal Palace is looking to secure their first win in five league games as they prepare to host Aston Villa on Wednesday night. Nathaniel Clyne will miss the match due to a minor injury sustained in the recent defeat to Newcastle, while Jefferson Lerma is unavailable due to concussion protocols, though Chris Richards is expected to return to the squad.
Information from PA contributed to this report.