‘John Textor was unhelpful to Crystal Palace’ – unexpected Oliver Glasner reveal
Crystal Palace’s former owner John Textor has been “unhelpful” in the club’s battle with UEFA due to his role in the appointment of Oliver Glasner.
Textor recently sold his shares in Palace in order to help their case to compete in next season’s Europa League.
The American billionaire’s ownership of Lyon has presented a stumbling block after the French side also qualified for the Europa League, with UEFA’s rules prohibiting clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
The Eagles are awaiting a final decision on the controversial situation, which is made even more complicated by the fact that Lyon are currently battling financial troubles and are currently appealing against a forced relegation to Ligue 2.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Palace could be set to receive bad news.
Textor’s appointment of Glasner made Palace situation worse
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Textor did have a key influence in running Palace, as he was influential in bringing in Glasner as the club’s manager.
The Austrian boss was appointed back in February 2024, taking over from Roy Hodgson at Selhurst Park.
Wyness added that if Textor’s other club, Lyon, win their battle against relegation from Ligue 1, then Palace will struggle to win their own case.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Textor selling his shares and moving out will help, but then again, apparently, Textor was not helpful from what I read in the actual discussions with UEFA, due to the fact that he had brought in Oliver Glasner as the manager.
“Therefore he did have a key influence in running Palace, because obviously bringing in a manager is a pretty decisive thing. So that wasn’t helpful.
“The Lyon situation, if they do avoid the relegation issue and I tend to think they will, would be bad news for Palace.
“I think UEFA would have cleared Palace straight away this week if they were going to and I think that’s a bad sign. It’s a shame because Palace did it on merit and here we are now in the world of MCOs (Multi-club ownerships) that has got all sorts of minefields.
“While an MCO and those sort of partnerships can supposedly bring great benefits of player trading, there are unintended consequences and real problems that come out of it and bombs can go off.
“Here’s one that could, and after all the time that Palace have waited to be in Europe, they could have it stolen away from them right at the last minute. I’m still hoping there’s some twists to go but I’m starting to think it’s going to go against them.”
‘Arsenal make decision on activating Eberechi Eze release clause’
Meanwhile, Arsenal are reportedly holding internal discussions about whether to activate Eze’s £68million release clause as they accelerate their summer transfer plans.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that Crystal Palace will stand firm on their valuation of the 27-year-old.
The England international’s release clause will expire in the middle of August, before the start of the new Premier League season, and a decision will have to be made before then.
Football Insider revealed on 30 June that Arsenal have enquired about Eze’s availability and have held talks with his representatives over a move.
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