Everything Is Falling Apart At Crystal Palace – FA Cup Shock, Captain Gone, Manager Out!

Crystal Palace have just endured what might go down as the darkest week in the club’s recent history. A series of blows that few supporters saw coming have left Selhurst Park in turmoil, with questions swirling about the future of one of English football’s most exciting projects. 

This wasn’t just a bad week for the Eagles. This was a gut-punch that threatened to reshape the club’s identity and ambitions. In early January, Crystal Palace suffered arguably the worst defeat in their storied 120-plus-year history when they were dumped out of the FA Cup by sixth-tier Macclesfield. 

That shock loss was quickly followed by the bombshell announcement that manager Oliver Glasner will leave the club next season. Hours later Palace’s captain and defensive lynchpin Marc Guehi edged closer to a move to Manchester City. Leaving supporters reeling and pundits questioning what comes next for a club built on stability and recent success. 

Historic FA Cup Upset And What It Means For Palace

The FA Cup loss to Macclesfield wasn’t a narrow defeat; it was a humiliation. On January 10, Macclesfield, a non-league side, defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 to record the biggest upset in the competition since 1909. 

Goals from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts sent shockwaves through the footballing world and left Palace’s squad exposed and embarrassed. Palace fielded a team packed with Premier League and international talent, yet they were undone on a synthetic surface by opponents who train part-time. 

Manager Oliver Glasner was furious after the match, openly criticising his squad’s lack of effort and suggesting even the club’s U21s might have fared better. That kind of public frustration from a manager rarely bodes well for morale or confidence. 

The manner of the defeat cut deep because Palace are not a club with a long history of silverware. Winning the FA Cup last season was a watershed moment, the kind of achievement that can define an era. 

But this defeat felt like a regression to fragility, a reminder that the margins in football remain perilously thin. While Palace still battle on in the Premier League and European competition, this loss has undermined belief and created fresh pressure on players and coaches alike.

Glasner Out: Why Palace Are Losing Their Most Successful Manager

Just days after the FA Cup embarrassment came confirmation that Oliver Glasner will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season when his contract expires. The Austrian coach, who masterminded Palace’s first major trophy and took them to Europe, stated that he wanted a “new challenge” and had informed the club of his decision months earlier. 

Glasner’s departure feels like a seismic shift, not only because of what he achieved on the pitch, but also due to his impact on the club’s culture. A former Europa League contender with Eintracht Frankfurt, Glasner brought tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and a clear identity to Selhurst Park. 

Under his leadership, Palace became not just a team capable of beating anyone on their day but a club with a genuine sense of purpose. Palace’s chairman Steve Parish described Glasner’s decision as amicable, emphasising mutual respect. 

Despite persistent rumours linking Glasner to other jobs, including Manchester United, he insisted he had not held talks with any other club and that his focus remained on finishing the season strongly. Still, the timing of this announcement, on the heels of a cup disaster and within hours of their captain’s imminent exit, magnifies the sense of upheaval. 

Replacing a manager of Glasner’s stature is no simple task. The club will have to decide whether to pursue a like-for-like appointment, one that sustains the tactical ethos Glasner built, or to pivot to a fresh philosophy that reflects new leadership. Whoever steps in will carry the weight of expectations from fans burned by recent events and eager for a return to stability.

Captain Gone: Marc Guehi’s Move And Palace’s Defensive Dilemma

As if losing their manager wasn’t enough, Palace now look set to lose their captain. Marc Guehi, the England international and defensive cornerstone, is on the verge of joining Manchester City in a deal worth around £20 million. 

He has been omitted from Palace’s squad for their next match as talks between the clubs intensify. Guehi’s departure is significant on multiple levels. First, it strips Palace of leadership on the pitch. As captain, his organisational skills and calm presence helped anchor a defence that had shown real progress over the last two seasons. 

Second, it leaves a vacuum at a position where quality replacements are notoriously hard to find. Selling a club captain mid-season is a bold move for any side inside or outside the top six, and it underscores the financial realities even successful upper-midtable clubs face.

There are mitigating circumstances. Guehi’s contract expires at the end of the season, meaning Palace risked losing him for nothing if they waited. Manchester City’s interest has been fuelled by their own defensive injury crisis, as Pep Guardiola desperately needed a defensive recruit. It created a buyer’s urgency that Palace could not ignore. 

However, the optics of this deal, coming immediately after Glasner’s exit news, make it feel like a broader exodus rather than a strategic sale. The defensive plan post-Guehi will be fascinating to watch. Palace have options within their squad and could reinvest funds into new recruits, but replacing an England international mid-season is a gamble. It raises serious questions about their defensive stability for the remainder of the Premier League campaign and in European competition.

Where Do Palace Go From Here?

So how should Crystal Palace respond to this catastrophic week? The club’s leadership faces three urgent priorities. Stabilising the squad, appointing a successor who can maintain identity and progress, and reassuring fans and players that the club’s trajectory remains upward.

Rebuilding confidence within the squad is paramount. Players will need to show resilience in the face of adversity. A response on the pitch in the coming fixtures will set the tone for the second half of the season. 

Palace still have ambitions in the Premier League and are involved in the Conference League playoffs, meaning there are tangible targets to aim at. The managerial appointment that follows Glasner will be scrutinised intensely. Fans will want someone who can blend tactical intelligence with motivational leadership. 

The club’s hierarchy must balance short-term needs with long-term ambitions. Palace need continuity but also innovation to take the next step rather than merely rebuilding what was lost.

Financially, the sale of Guehi provides resources that could be reinvested into the squad. Whether Palace opt for defensive reinforcements or look to strengthen other areas of the team will signal their strategic direction. This window offers a chance to reshape the squad in line with a new manager’s vision.

Ultimately, Crystal Palace have reached a crossroads. The events of this week feel like a reset, a moment that could define the next era of the club. Fans will hope that from this adversity comes a renewed purpose. After all, football history is littered with clubs that have emerged stronger after periods of upheaval. For Palace, the coming weeks will be when character is truly tested, and a new chapter begins.