Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor recently sat down for an interview with BBC Sport to discuss various topics related to the club and his role as a multi-club owner. In the interview, Textor revealed his love for Crystal Palace and his close collaboration with the club’s chairman, Steve Parish. He also addressed fan protests, his relationship with the ultras, the hiring of new manager Oliver Glasner, and the challenges of multi-club ownership models.
Passionate about Crystal Palace
Textor expressed his love for Crystal Palace and the team’s culture. He emphasized that while he is not responsible for managing the club, he works closely with the board, including sporting director Dougie Freedman and chairman Steve Parish. Textor’s capital helped complete the academy project, and he played a role in endorsing player selections.
Addressing fan protests
Textor dismissed fan banners criticizing him, stating that he is not running the club and does not need their trust. He acknowledged that some fans prefer fan ownership and transparency but highlighted the transparency of a US public company like Crystal Palace. He also discussed his interaction with ultras and emphasized his belief in working for all fans, not just specific groups.
Relationship with Parish & the board
Textor praised Steve Parish’s leadership and highlighted the collaborative nature of the board’s decision-making process. While there may be some disagreements, Textor recognized the benefits and dangers of multi-club ownership models. He expressed his desire to own a majority stake in Crystal Palace and emphasized that the current ownership group wants to buy more shares, which should be seen as a positive development by fans.
Hiring new manager Glasner
Textor expressed his admiration for new manager Oliver Glasner, revealing that he had been following him for a long time. He praised Glasner’s management style and his focus on player development and recovery. Textor believed that Glasner’s style of play would be a perfect match for Crystal Palace, emphasizing the importance of pressing and winning the ball in the opponent’s half.
Financial Fair Play and ownership rules
Textor discussed the challenges faced by club owners due to Financial Fair Play and profit and sustainability rules. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by Steve Parish in running the club within these constraints, highlighting the limitations on spending despite having the desire and capital to invest. Textor criticized the current system, arguing that it does not protect smaller clubs and limits their ability to compete.
Multi-club ownership models
Textor shared his perspective on multi-club ownership models, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and a global talent footprint. He mentioned the success of the City Football Group but argued that his own ownership group has done more collaboration between their clubs. He highlighted the benefits of sharing resources and players, as demonstrated by the reinforcements brought in during the January transfer window for Belgian club Molenbeek.
The future
Textor stated that he does not aspire to run Crystal Palace or any other club. He expressed his support for the current football people in place, particularly praising Dougie Freedman. While he acknowledged the possibility of selling their interest in Palace if greater collaboration cannot be achieved, he emphasized their preference for buying more shares. Textor encouraged fans to trust what they see on the pitch rather than believing in greater problems that may not exist.
European football fairness
Textor discussed the challenges of competing against clubs with unlimited financial resources, particularly referencing Paris St-Germain’s ownership by Qatari Sports Investment. He questioned why European Union law allows foreign states to subsidize clubs’ spending, creating an uneven playing field. He emphasized the need for fair competition and expressed his desire to win first place in France through a fair fight.
In conclusion, John Textor’s interview provided insights into his love for Crystal Palace, his collaboration with the board, his views on fan protests and ultras, and his thoughts on multi-club ownership models. He also discussed the challenges faced by club owners under financial constraints and the need for fair competition in European football. Textor’s passion for the game and commitment to Crystal Palace were evident throughout the interview.