Oliver Glasner expresses anger over Marc Guehi sale after Crystal Palace defeat at Sunderland | Football news

Oliver Glasner has hit out at the Crystal Palace hierarchy after it was revealed the day before their game at Sunderland that captain Marc Guehi would be sold.

In an explosive pre-match press conference, Glasner said Guehi would not feature at the Stadium of Light as he was set to leave the club. He is ready to join Manchester City, where a £20 million move is getting closer.

The Austrian then added he would not renew his contract at Selhurst Park and would leave at the end of the season. He spoke of the need for a “new challenge”, but his comments after their 2-1 defeat against Sunderland revealed that the problems could be deeper than previously thought.

Glasner did not make a substitution in the Premier League defeat – taking the Eagles' winless run to ten games in all competitions – and said he was told at 10.30am on Friday that Guehi would be leaving.

He explained to Aerial sports: “I think the players gave everything they could. We didn't make any substitutions, look at the bench, there are only kids there.

“We feel like we're completely abandoned. Selling our captain a day before a game – there's no way to understand that.

“We are preparing and then yesterday [Friday]I am told that our captain is going to be sold, but why not next week? At least he can play this game and next week other players will return. This really upsets me.

“If your heart is ripped out twice a year, with [Eberechi] Eze a day before a summer game and your captain a day before a game – I just have no understanding.

“I've been in football for 30 years and I've never experienced this, not once. Now it happens twice in six or seven months. That's exactly where we are now.

“We've been playing for weeks now with only 12 or 13 players in our team. Some players have played their 35th game now.

“For 50 or 60 minutes we played well here and for 15 or 20 minutes we were under pressure and conceded the goal. The players tried everything but again I couldn't give them any support from the bench and that makes things so difficult.

“The players left their hearts on the pitch, they fought. It's not too easy to play here and despite all the circumstances the team did an exceptionally good job. But once again we don't feel supported.

“I heard yesterday at 10:30 for the first time that we were selling Marc. I think the negotiations lasted a few days so no one would have called at 10:00 and by 10:30 everything was agreed.

“Then we have to face it. A day before a game we have to come to Sunderland, when we know we are not on the best path. We know the circumstances with no players available and we sell our captain.

“No team would do that. Other teams, the players play and then the next day they leave and we sell out the day before?”

When asked if he would finish the season, Glasner responded defiantly: “I don't know. I still have a huge appreciation for this group of players.

“I have complete confidence in them. Their character is exceptional and we will stay together and get back together. I will never back down because these players deserve Oliver Glasner as their manager and leader and that is what I will do.

“Sometimes it would help if we had a little support.”

Sherwood: Glasner wants out now

Tim Sherwood on Football Saturday:

“When your manager says he's leaving, how does that feel for the team? It works both ways. It's about self-preservation. Now they're losing games.

“When he takes the Palace job, he knows what he's getting into. You develop players and you sell them. It's a club that sells.

“He wants to leave this club as quickly as possible. He wants to leave the club and he wants to do it now.”