Crystal Palace is facing a significant period of transition after enduring a dual blow: the confirmed departure of captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City and head coach Oliver Glasner's announcement that he will leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season. These developments, though impactful, did not come as a complete shock to those following the club.

The move for Marc Guehi materialized swiftly, with Manchester City striking an initial £20 million deal. Reports indicated that City accelerated their pursuit of the England defender due to injuries sustained by Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias. The agreement in principle for Guehi's transfer to Etihad Stadium was reached after talks between the two clubs. It was also noted that Guehi's contract was set to expire in June, making his departure inevitable regardless of City's immediate interest.

Similarly, Oliver Glasner's decision to leave, while announced unexpectedly, was not unanticipated. Glasner revealed he had communicated his decision to chairman Steve Parish back in October, the same month that BBC Sport had reported Palace's chances of retaining him beyond the current season were slim. According to Glasner, he and Parish had agreed to keep the news confidential until they both decided to make it public. However, speculation surrounding Glasner's future had become widespread, making his impending exit one of English football's most open secrets.

Sources suggest that the club's decision to sell Guehi to Manchester City was a contributing factor, if not the direct catalyst, behind Glasner's public admission during his weekly press conference. In this same briefing, Glasner also disclosed that Crystal Palace is open to selling star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. For Crystal Palace, the immediate focus shifts from the reasons behind Glasner's bombshell announcement to the crucial task of preparing for life without their most successful manager and captain in the club's history, as they navigate a challenging rebuilding phase.