Crystal Palace won’t ‘throw Premier League away’, says Oliver Glasner

Oliver Glasner said it would make no sense to give up on Crystal Palace’s season if they exit the Conference League to Bosnian side Zrinjski Mostar on Thursday.

The 51-year-old, who is due to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season, has been under pressure since results began to turn against his team in December, with a serious of statements that appeared to directly criticise the board and its running of the club fuelling speculation about an even earlier departure.

They were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round by sixth-tier Macclesfield last month, denying them the chance to retain the trophy they won for the first time last season.

Having sunk into lower mid-table following a promising start to the Premier League season, it leaves Europe as the most realistic chance of Glasner rounding off his time in south London on a high.

Questions continue to surround the manager regarding whether he could walk away before that.

Asked whether he expected defeat to Zrinjski, who held Palace to a 1-1 draw in the first leg a week ago, to make Thursday’s match his final game, he said: “I don’t know what happens. I know that we’ll try to win the game tomorrow. That’s what we can do.

“But on the other side, think about the Premier League. We’re three points behind eighth place, eighth place qualifies for Europe it looks like, with the five Champions League places again next year.

“So why throw the Premier League away? It makes no sense.”

Palace have already lost Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi this season, two key players from last year’s cup triumph, while Jean-Philippe Mateta has made clear his desire to leave.

Adam Wharton and Daniel Munoz have both been linked with leaving in the summer while Daichi Kamada and Jefferson Lerma are out of contract.

Glasner commented last week that certain members of his squad appeared more focused on their next transfer than on ensuring a successful end to the season.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson warned that any player who might be making eyes at other clubs ought to be cautious.

Asked whether he believed any of his team-mates were already thinking about life after Selhurst Park, he said: “They certainly shouldn’t and if they have, they need to be very careful because if you don’t put the performances in, then ultimately you don’t get the move.

“They need to be very careful. I’m not aware of it but I would suggest they should be careful if they are thinking like that.”

Mateta, who has not played since January’s 3-1 defeat to Chelsea, could yet feature again for Palace following his failed deadline day move to AC Milan.

The France international has been out with a knee injury but Glasner hoped he would be back before the end of the campaign.

“I hope so, that’s the plan,” he said. “He’s working hard on his rehab.”