Oliver Glasner has just ‘saved his job’ at Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner may have saved his job at Crystal Palace after their victory against Tottenham on 27 October as the club’s hierarchy had started to panic.
This is according to former Man United, Tottenham and West Ham scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the hierarchy had begun to grow fearful of a relegation battle.
Palace secured a 1-0 victory at home thanks to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s strike on his return to the starting XI, having been benched for the defeat to Nottingham Forest.
Glasner spoke about his future following the game, as he assured that he had no concerns about his future at Selhurst Park and enjoys a close relationship with Steve Parish.
Brown, however, insisted that if results had continued to go against the Eagles, the board would have been forced to make a change amid fears of relegation.
Palace had failed to pick up a win in their first eight games of the season, accumulating just three points over that period, and had dropped into the bottom three.
However, they left Wolves, Southampton and Ipswich as the division’s only winless sides by picking up a surprise three points against Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Oliver Glasner safe at Crystal Palace after win v Tottenham
Palace have been in the Premier League since their promotion from the Championship in the 2012-13 season and are now an established top-flight presence.
However, Brown insisted that the board at Selhurst Park remain fearful of relegation and are always “looking over their shoulder” which could have led to Glasner’s sack – although the weekend’s victory has eased any lingering concerns.
“It’s an unfortunate fact, but if you’re not winning games, the knives come out,” he told Football Insider.
“In my experience, boards and directors don’t like dealing with pressure.
“That’s why the manager is usually sacked, because the board panics when they’re under pressure.
“I think, from what I’ve been told, that was starting to happen at Palace.
“How close they were to making that decision, I don’t know, but I do know they’re always nervous about relegation at Selhurst Park.
“I get the impression that they’re always looking over their shoulder and worrying about what’s behind them.
“It was only a few weeks ago that Glasner was the best thing since sliced bread, but a few results go against the, pressure starts to build, and people are taking about sacking him.
“That’s football, and that’s how boards work. Palace are no different to that. But after that win I think he’ll be safe now.”
In other news, Palace are reluctant to re-open Marc Geuhi talks with Newcastle.
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