London, January 16, 2026 — Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the season, fuelling speculation that the Austrian coach could be set for a move to Manchester United, while Palace captain Marc Guehi is in the final stages of completing a transfer to Manchester City.

The developments mark a major turning point for the south London club, which is facing the prospect of losing both its head coach and club captain within months.

Glasner Confirms Crystal Palace Exit

Glasner, 51, announced on Friday that he has decided not to extend his contract, which expires this summer. The decision was made months ago following discussions with Palace chairman Steve Parish, but was kept private until now to avoid distractions during the season.

“A decision was already taken months ago,” Glasner told reporters. “I had a long conversation with Steve Parish during the October international break, and I told him clearly that I would not be signing a new contract. We agreed it was best to keep this confidential for a period of time.”

Glasner stressed that the decision was made amicably and with the club’s best interests in mind, adding that clarity was now important as Palace navigate a busy part of the campaign.

A Historic Spell at Selhurst Park

Glasner’s stock has risen sharply following a remarkable spell at Crystal Palace. Last season, he guided the club to their first major trophy in 164 years, lifting the FA Cup, before adding the Community Shield at the start of the current campaign.

Those achievements transformed Palace’s profile domestically and elevated Glasner into one of the most sought-after managers in the Premier League. Palace currently sit 13th in the table with 28 points from 21 matches, and remain comfortably clear of the relegation zone.

Despite confirming his departure, Glasner reiterated his commitment to finishing the season strongly, saying both he and the club want the best possible outcome before parting ways.

Manchester United Interest Grows

Glasner has been heavily linked with the Manchester United managerial role, as the club continues its search for long-term stability following another turbulent season. United recently appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager after the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, and are expected to make a permanent appointment in the summer.

Glasner’s tactical discipline, cup success, and calm leadership style have reportedly impressed United’s hierarchy, making him a leading candidate should talks progress in the coming months.

Marc Guehi Close to Manchester City Transfer

Alongside Glasner’s confirmed exit, Crystal Palace are also preparing for the departure of Marc Guehi, with Manchester City understood to have agreed a deal in principle to sign the England international defender.

Guehi, 25, has captained Palace and was instrumental in their FA Cup triumph last May — a final in which they defeated Manchester City. He has earned 26 senior caps for England and has long been viewed as one of the Premier League’s most reliable centre-backs.

The defender had been close to joining Liverpool last September before that move collapsed, and several top European clubs had been monitoring his situation ahead of his contract expiry later this year.

Defensive Crisis at Manchester City

Manchester City’s interest in Guehi comes amid a severe defensive injury crisis. Pep Guardiola’s side are currently without several key defenders, including John Stones, Ruben Dias, and Josko Gvardiol, forcing the club to accelerate its transfer plans.

Speaking ahead of City’s upcoming Manchester derby, Guardiola declined to comment directly on the Guehi deal but acknowledged the depth of the problem.

“Without John, without Ruben, without Josko, we are in a difficult situation — not for one game, but for a long period,” Guardiola said. “Ruben will be back soon. Josko won’t. John, we will see.”

City sit second in the Premier League, six points behind leaders Arsenal, and remain firmly in the title race.

Guehi to Miss Palace Match as Deal Nears Completion

Glasner confirmed that Guehi would not be available for Palace’s upcoming league match against Sunderland, citing the advanced stage of transfer negotiations.

“I can’t confirm the club because it’s not fully done yet,” Glasner said. “But it’s in the final stages, and the result is that Marc won’t play for us tomorrow.”

Palace Facing a Transitional Summer

With Glasner set to depart and Guehi likely to follow, Crystal Palace are facing a major rebuilding phase ahead of the 2026–27 season. The club will need to identify a new manager capable of building on recent success while also replacing a commanding presence at the heart of defence.

For Manchester United and Manchester City, meanwhile, the developments could represent key moves in shaping their respective futures — one in the dugout, the other at the back.