Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner on the delayed contract negotiations. Borley and chairman Steve Parish chose to put them on hold because of the club’s hectic match schedule. Currently positioned fifth in the Premier League table, Glasner emphasized that his primary focus remains on preparing the team for upcoming games rather than contract negotiations.
Glasner first arrived at Selhurst Park in February 2022. As he pointed out, negotiating rules with your opponents while preparing for matches is a pretty tricky task. Furthermore, he highlighted how busy and strenuous the schedule has been lately. Unfortunately, that’s made it logistically difficult to find a convenient time for these crucial conversations.
Busy Schedule Impacts Discussions
The packed fixture list has left little room for contemplation regarding his contract extension, which is set to expire at the end of the current season. Glasner admitted that the team have been focused on their own pressing situations, such as injuries and how to approach games in the coming days.
“So that’s why we say, let’s push it backwards when we have time, so it’s not between three meetings which take 10 minutes time. We want to do it in a relaxed atmosphere and at the moment there is no relaxed atmosphere. That’s why we pushed it back.” – Oliver Glasner
He further elaborated on the priorities at hand, stating, “Everything we talk about is our games now and the January window. Do injuries affect it or not? We had an original plan, do we adjust or don’t we? This is what we’re talking about now, not my contract.”
Focus on Team Performance
Despite the tumult, ever since Glasner’s appointment, the club’s fortunes have done a 180. In his initial campaign he artfully steered Palace to a comfortable 10th place finish. The 43-year-old reached the jaw-dropping milestone of leading his side to a European spot. His stock has risen through the roof as a result of this success. Now, the possibility for a contract extension has turned into a key negotiating chip for him and the union.
Despite the cloud of speculation about his own future, Glasner remains focused on his job. He’s confident that negotiations on a greater contract will resume when the moment is appropriate. The manager then definitively stated that they will notify player and press when ready with a decision on his stay or go. We’ll get all of you updated right away!
“We just didn’t talk about it. The chairman was in the USA last week. We played away games at Burnley, Dublin, we had to stay one night longer there, we play Thursday evening and on Friday we fly to Leeds, we can’t fly back so we have to stay until Sunday, and on Tuesday we go to the Emirates [to face Arsenal], so when should I talk about my contract?” – Oliver Glasner
Future Considerations for Palace
Palace indeed is likely focused figuring out this very complicated time right now. At the same time, the club’s leadership has begun to proactively identify possible successors should Glasner depart. He hasn’t committed to leaving, but he hasn’t committed to staying either. In reality, though, the club’s leadership is looking at every possible avenue.
Palace is continuing to take an aggressive approach in evaluating its roster needs going forward. Rumors of new signings in the upcoming January transfer window are already making waves. The team is intent on securing victory in their remaining fixtures. Along with that, they’re planning for the future both in terms of onboarding new players and maintaining managerial consistency.
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