Oliver Glasner has announced he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season.
The Palace boss, who is out of contract in the summer, has turned down an offer to remain at Selhurst Park.
His side sits 13th in the Premier League and suffered a shock exit in the FA Cup third round last weekend at non-league Macclesfield.
Palace travel to in-form Sunderland on Saturday.
Glasner said: “The reason is just for me – I am looking for a new challenge.
“I haven’t spoken to any other club – no interest – and I told the players, I promised them today that I will give my best to play the best ever season in Crystal Palace history and to break the (Premier League) points record of last season.
“We are now four points better than last year at this stage of the season and we will do everything to bring another trophy back to Selhurst Park.”
Glasner maintains the future will be bright for Palace, whoever takes charge after he leaves Selhurst Park in the summer.
Oliver Glasner has announced he will leave Crystal Palace at the end of the season
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GETTY
He added: “I know that this club is in great hands, where everybody wants the best for Palace.
“I know this club will move forward, definitely. Maybe today it doesn’t feel like this, but I know behind the scenes, everybody is working really hard to get the positivity back.
He revealed that he informed the club “months ago” of his decision.
Glasner said: “I had a meeting in October with Steve Parish. We had dinner and a long talk. I told him I will not sign a new contract for Crystal Palace.”
He added: “We agreed it was best to keep it between us, confidentially, and we did for three months. I told the team today. It’s now important to have clarity.
“I don’t want to have this question. We had a very busy schedule. We want the same, me and Steve.
“Steve has no ego. Oliver Glasner has no ego, we want is best for Palace.
“It’s important to have clarity, this is what the players deserve, this is what fans deserve, that’s why I tell it today.”
Oliver Glasner guided Crystal Palace to FA Cup glory last season and has emerged as a potential option for Man Utd | PA
The 51-year-old led the South London side to their first-ever major trophy last year with a historic FA Cup victory.
A sole goal from Eberechi Eze, who has since signed for Arsenal, sealed the win at Wembley Stadium.
This triumph was the first major piece of silverware in the club’s 120-year history.
He was recently on the wrong side of another historic upset in the competition as Palace were dumped out by Macclesfield FC.
The Austrian joined Palace nearly two years ago on February 19, 2024, taking over from former England manager Roy Hodgson.
Now, his departure has sparked speculation surrounding the vacant Manchester United job, which the club look to fill in the summer.
The club appointed Michael Carrick on an interim basis until the end of the season in a bid to steady the ship at Old Trafford.
But Glasner remains among the favourites to fill the role.
Crystal Palace won their first-ever trophy after winning the FA Cup | GETTY
His impressive record means he will depart Selhurst Park having won 41 of 95 at Palace (43.16 per cent) and achieved their highest Premier League finish last season.
The announcement also coincides with reports that Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi is set to depart the club for Manchester City before the close of the January transfer window.
The Premier League champions, who have a mounting injury list, have accelerated negotiations in the last 24 hours, acting swiftly to secure the 25-year-old England international on a long-term contract.
Key defenders Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias are currently sidelined, leading Pep Guardiola to be desperate for immediate, high-quality reinforcement to maintain City’s push for silverware.
