Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor has described fan banners questioning his involvement with the club as “nonsense”, adding: “I don’t work for the ultras”.
Palace’s supporters have repeatedly hit out at the club’s direction in recent months, with the Eagles sliding down the Premier League table before Roy Hodgson stepped down as manager, allowing Oliver Glasner to take charge.
US-based businessman Textor is Palace’s largest shareholder, with his company Eagle Football Holdings controlling a 45 per cent stake in the club.
He also controls majority stakes in Ligue 1 side Lyon, Brazil’s Botafogo and Belgian club RWD Molenbeek.
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One banner revealed by disgruntled supporters last year read: “Multi-club ownership, stock market gambling… Textor, we don’t trust you.”
In an interview with BBC Sport, the American insisted he is not fazed by the criticism, saying: “There’s a lot of talk of that but it’s misguided. I read these banners, which are nonsense.
“I showed up a couple of years ago and I do nothing but offer support as one of four members of the board and then I see banners which say; ‘Textor we don’t trust you’. I don’t care.
“They don’t need to trust me, I’m not running the club. I don’t manage Crystal Palace. I’m in a weird spot as a multi-club person. Crystal Palace is my first investment.
“Am I as passionate about it? Quietly when I watch the games, but I’m not responsible for it. The collaboration has been great for me. I work very closely with [sporting director] Dougie Freedman and [chairman] Steve Parish and I pick off situations.
In sync ???? pic.twitter.com/5Hp7XiWCXr
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 29, 2024
“Some very smart people in football told me, ‘pay attention to the ultras, they can be wonderful, they can be passionate, but make sure you know who your fans are – all of them’.
“I developed a belief that I work for the anonymous fan that I don’t know, and he or she is 10 years old and they love the club because their father loves the club. I don’t work for the ultras.”
Palace won their first game under Glasner last week, routing 10-man Burnley 3-0 at a more contented Selhurst Park to move eight points clear of the relegation zone.
Textor has watched the Austrian’s career closely and has considered appointing him as Lyon boss on more than one occasion.
He believes Glasner’s more proactive approach will go down well with Palace’s fans and players, saying: “Everybody knows I’ve been following Oliver Glasner around forever. I love him.
“If he spoke French, he would be the coach of Lyon now. I think he’s a better fit for Palace.
“He’s part of the modern breed of managers that manage everything about the player, the body. At the end of 90 minutes, they want to play more.
“As far as his style of play goes, I thought it was the perfect match. Oliver’s theory is that he’d rather win the ball in their half.”
Next stop: north London ????
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) February 27, 2024
