Oliver Glasner admitted that sporting director Dougie Freedman told him it was time for a ‘new challenge’ after announcing his Crystal Palace departure during the international break.
Ex-Palace manager and striker Freedman is leaving Selhurst Park after returning as sporting director in 2017.
He has been hailed for spotting Championship talents such as Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton during his time in the recruitment role.
But the 50-year-old is poised to accept a position in Saudi Arabia at Al-Diriyah, who play in the Saudi second tier and are owned by the Public Investment Fund, who bought Newcastle United in 2021.
“He told me he was considering it,” said Glasner, who is in talks over extending his own deal with the South Londoners.
“He didn’t tell me last summer. You have to talk to him, but it’s a progress.
“When you work for a club for eight years, it’s not about waking up one morning and leaving.
“It’s weeks and months – you get a feeling. Dougie got this feeling.
“We always had very honest talks and that’s what I really appreciate from our time working together.
“I was talking to him and he was saying: ‘I was here for many years and maybe it’s time for a new challenge.’
“When you work eight years in the Premier League, it’s a highly demanding job.
“You have to be available 24 hours and seven days a week – 365 days of the year.
“I don’t know when it started, but I knew he was considering it.
“He took this decision.”
PICTURE: ALAMY
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