Shock exits, new face and January transfer plans – Best bits from Premier League manager press conferences

The Gunners might have the chance to increase their lead at the top of the table to nine points if United pull off a win in the derby against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City earlier that day.

With a key weekend of Premier League ahead, the top-flight managers have been speaking to the media and it has turned out to be one of most interesting Fridays of the season.

One manager announced that he intends to leave the club at the end of the season, while also confirming that the captain is set to depart in the January transfer window.

Another head coach has been talking about how he plans to ignore the external noise to reach his objectives at his new club. TNT Sports brings you the best of the managers’ press conferences this week.

Glasner announces two shock exits

Friday turned out to be an eventful day for Crystal Palace supporters – and not for the right reasons.

“A decision has already been taken, months ago. I had a meeting with Steve (Parish) in October, during the international break,” he explained.

“We had a very long talk, and I told him I will not sign a new contract. We agreed at the time that it was best to keep it between us. It’s the best that we could do, and keep it confidential for three months.

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“But now it’s important to have clarity, and we had a very busy schedule, so that’s why we didn’t want to talk about it. Steve and I want the best for Crystal Palace. Steve and I have no egos. We think now it’s important that we have clarity as it’s what the players, staff members and every fan deserve.”

“My latest understanding is that deal with Marc is in the final stages,” he said.

“I can’t confirm it as the deal is not yet done, but it’s in the last stages and the result is that Marc doesn’t play tomorrow for us.”

Carrick plans to ignore outside noise

“If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club.”

New interim boss Michael Carrick decided to take a different stance from the Portuguese in his first press conference since returning to the club on Friday afternoon.

Despite only being in the role for a few days, Carrick has already faced a bit of criticism from former United captain Roy Keane, but the former England international was quick to brush off any external distractions.

“(Former players) are not putting more pressure on me. I don’t feel that. There are plenty of opinions around, some positive, some not too much.

“It’s totally irrelevant in terms of what I focus on. I know what we want to improve on, how we want to work with the players.

“There’s a lot that can be said, it’s the way of the world. I’m not going to pay too much attention to that. For me, the players and staff, it’s a focus on how we’re going to succeed.”

Slot confirms Salah talks

Are we starting to see a reconciliation between Arne Slot and Mohamed Salah?

‘Happy to have him back’ – Slot on Salah returning from AFCON

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“I am happy he comes back,” Slot said. “Mo has been so important for this club and me, so I am happy he is back.

“Even if I had 15 attackers, I would be happy to see Mo back, but that is not our situation. Happy to have him back after an important game tomorrow.”

Slot added: “What happens with Mo and me on our phone or over here stays with us two.

“I don’t (think) it is necessary for me to share the details of the private conversations I have either on phone or here with any of my players.”

Arteta plays down Rice row

Despite being top of the league, into the fourth round of the FA Cup and having one foot in the Carabao Cup final, there was a moment of discontent for The Gunners in midweek.

A clip circling around on social media showed that Rice’s team-mates had to diffuse the situation and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta also brushed off the incident on Friday.

He said: “The good thing is that by the time I found out, the problem was resolved. So that is very good.”

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The Spaniard was also full of praise for summer signing Viktor Gyokeres after the striker ended his goal drought from open play against The Blues in midweek.

“He’s been really trying,” he explained. “He’s been really consistent. And I thought against Chelsea he had a great game and scored a goal that helped us win the game.

“When you have done what he has done in the last few years, you set the standards and everyone expects you to maintain.

“It’s part of expectations but it’s not only for Viktor. It’s for every No. 9 in every top club, for any player or in my seat.

“We’re expected to be really good and win constantly. That’s what we have to try to do.”

Guardiola grateful for ‘patient’ Man City

Another Manchester derby beckons and Pep Guardiola will face another manager in the Old Trafford dugout on Saturday afternoon.

Guardiola has faced five different United managers during his decade in charge of City and Carrick will be the sixth when the clubs go head-to-head once again.

Despite the dominance created during his time at the Etihad, Guardiola went through one of the toughest periods of his career last season with City finishing third in the league and suffered a shock defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final.

‘Nothing to say’ – Guardiola guarded amid reports of Guehi’s imminent Man City arrival

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Guardiola was keen to thank those above him at the club for having the patience to stick with him during that bad spell.

“Results, results. If you don’t win, you will be sacked,” he said. “We’ve won a lot so that is why I’m sitting here. If we don’t win, I would be sacked.

“There is no other secret. We are more patient here. Another club after last season, I would not be here anymore. They were patient and that is what we’ve done in the past.

“We had three months that was really poor. Maybe with another club we would not be here but the past was really good so that is why I am still here.”

Moyes eyes January transfers

Everton are without a win in 2026 but manager David Moyes is confident that good things are just around the corner.

The Toffees face a tough trip to Aston Villa this weekend, but the Scot’s main comments focused on the January transfer window and whether he can bring in new faces to help the team until the end of the season.

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He explained: “All managers are hoping to get bigger numbers (for their budget) but I think the club has outlined that what we spent in the summer, that was the main part. It’s not me saying it, the CEO is saying it as well: we don’t expect to be doing too much business.

“But genuinely if I can get a couple of new players in, the club will certainly back me, I have no doubt about that. Absolutely they will, they have been really good.

“Maybe they can’t back me on a £60 million or £70m signing but they will back me on what they think will be the right numbers if we think we can come up with the players required.”

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