CRYSTAL PALACE STICK WITH OLIVER GLASNER TO TRIGGER POTENTIAL TOTTENHAM COMPENSATION FEE
Crystal Palace are reportedly holding off on sacking Oliver Glasner in hopes that Tottenham will pay to hire him this season.
Both managers have faced real pressure lately, with poor results in north London casting doubt on their futures. Glasner didn’t help his case by publicly criticising the board for selling captain Marc Guehi just a day before facing Sunderland—a match they ended up losing 2-1.
The day after that loss, Palace sat down to talk about Glasner’s future. He’s already said he’ll leave when his contract runs out at the end of the season, but they decided to keep him on for now. Meanwhile, Frank bought himself a little breathing room with a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
Now it turns out there’s more behind Palace’s decision to stick with Glasner. Apparently, interest from Spurs played a part. According to journalist Manzi, Palace don’t want to pay compensation for a manager who’s leaving soon anyway—especially when they could actually make some money if Spurs come calling.
“As far as I know, they don’t really want to pay out the compensation,” Manzi said. “They know Tottenham could step in if they sack Thomas Frank, and that could mean Palace get paid for Glasner instead. And with so much already changing, they want to avoid losing a manager mid-season if they can help it. So all these things add up, and they just don’t want to make that call right now.”
Crystal Palace Can’t Afford to Lose Glasner Mid-Season
It’s been a rough slide for Palace. After winning the FA Cup last season—a high point in the club’s history—they’ve watched key players walk out the door. Eberechi Eze left for Arsenal, Marc Guehi headed to Man City, Jean-Philippe Mateta now wants out, and Glasner himself is set to leave in the summer.
But right now, losing Glasner would be a disaster. The team would fall apart instead of building on what’s left.
If Glasner leaves in the summer, at least Palace gets time to figure out who comes next and plan for the future. Getting a transfer fee for him would soften the blow, but honestly, they need to hang on to him as long as possible. Right now, he’s the glue holding everything together.
HOW JAMES MADDISON’S INDIVIDUAL TRAINING SIGNALS A SHOCK SEASON RETURN
James Maddison returns to individual training as Igor Tudor prepares Tottenham for a vital relegation battle with Forest.
Ahead of Tottenham’s match against Nottingham Forest, manager Igor Tudor gave an update on when James Maddison might return from injury. It’s a crucial moment for Spurs as they prepare to host Forest in what could be the defining 90 minutes of Tudor’s time at the club and quite possibly a key fixture that will shape the season for both teams.
Currently separated by just one point, Tottenham and Forest are locked in a battle against relegation. A win would push Spurs four points clear of the drop zone, while a loss might drag them into the bottom three. The stakes couldn’t be clearer.
Tudor’s side heads into this game with renewed energy, surprisingly positive given the mood just two weeks ago. The draw at Anfield broke a six-game losing streak, and their recent 3-2 victory over Atlético Madrid, though not enough to overturn the aggregate score, brought back a sense of belief. Young players like Xavi Simons and Archie Gray impressed, while Mathys Tel kept the opposition on their toes. The atmosphere at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium was electric in a way fans haven’t felt for months. While the Champions League hopes are dashed, that performance has injected valuable momentum into Spurs’ survival fight.
There’s also some hopeful news on the injury front. Dominic Solanke, who missed the Atlético leg with a hip issue, might be available. His physical presence adds a different dimension to Tottenham’s attack, which Tudor will surely be glad to have.
But the most promising update came from Tudor’s comments about Maddison. The creative midfielder, sidelined since August after rupturing his ACL in a preseason friendly, has begun some individual training, spotted alongside Palhinha. Recoveries from ACL injuries are never straightforward, and the team won’t rush him back. With only seven league games left after Sunday, there’s a narrow window for his return. Still, even the possibility of Maddison getting back on the pitch—someone who can change a game with a moment of skill or a precise pass—offers a much-needed morale boost.
For now, though, the focus remains firmly on Forest.
WHY BORUSSIA DORTMUND EXPECT JADON SANCHO TO SIGN FOR FREE
Unai Emery praises Jadon Sancho despite poor stats, while Dortmund free up £21m in wages to lure him back to Germany.
Borussia Dortmund really want Jadon Sancho back, and they’re hoping to get him for free from Manchester United. Sancho’s contract runs out this summer, and honestly, no one expects United to offer him a new one.
Right now, Sancho’s on loan at Aston Villa. It’s his third spell away from Old Trafford since United signed him for £73 million in 2021. His move to Villa was just a loan with no option to buy.
Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, has hinted he might keep Sancho, but Dortmund aren’t sitting around. The Times says Dortmund didn’t chase wingers last summer because Nico Kovac liked the 3-4-2-1 formation, but now the boss has changed his mind and wants Sancho back.
If Sancho comes back, he'll need to take a hefty pay cut from his £300,000-a-week salary. Still, Dortmund’s where he made his name after moving from Manchester City in 2017.
Dortmund have room in the budget this summer; they let the contracts of Julian Brandt, Niklas Süle, and Salih Özcan run out. That saves them about £21 million a year, and they’re optimistic they can lure Sancho, who’s allowed to strike pre-contract deals with foreign clubs.
Sancho actually spent half of the 2024 season back at Dortmund after Erik ten Hag froze him out at United. He helped them reach the Champions League final, but nothing permanent came of it.
Something similar happened during his loan to Chelsea last season. The club even paid a £5 million penalty just to avoid having to sign him outright. Villa picked him up right at the transfer deadline in September, but, once again, he’s struggled.
So far, Sancho’s got one goal and one assist in 29 games across all competitions. Still, Emery thinks there’s more to come.
When asked in February about signing Sancho for good, Emery said, “Not yet, but he’s a fantastic player. Hopefully, he can help us by improving within our system, like he is doing.
“He’ll need a new contract; maybe it’s here. If he plays his best football, we’ll want him. But other teams will be interested, too.”
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