LONDON, ENGLAND – May 23, 2025
Turmoil has struck Selhurst Park as a dramatic player revolt reportedly erupted inside the Crystal Palace dressing room following what players are calling a “brutal and disrespectful” decision by club management.
Sources close to the team reveal that tensions boiled over after the club abruptly terminated long-serving assistant manager Darren Brooks, who had been with the Eagles for over a decade. Players were informed of the move just hours before a scheduled training session, with no prior warning or explanation from club officials.
Veteran midfielder Eberechi Eze is said to have led a heated confrontation with senior staff, demanding transparency and accountability. Several players, including Marc Guéhi and Dean Henderson, reportedly walked out of training in solidarity with Brooks, citing a “loss of trust” in the club’s leadership.
“We were blindsided,” one anonymous first-team player told reporters. “Darren was the heart of this team. To sack him like that, with no explanation, no respect—it’s disgraceful.”
Insiders suggest the decision may be tied to internal restructuring ordered by Chairman Steve Parish, who is said to be frustrated by the team’s underwhelming finish to the 2024–25 Premier League season, where they ended in 14th place despite a promising start.
In a brief and unusually terse statement, the club said:
“Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm the departure of assistant coach Darren Brooks. We thank him for his years of service and wish him the best in his future endeavors. No further comment will be made at this time.”
The response has only fueled speculation and unrest. A number of players have taken to social media with cryptic posts, including Olise’s now-deleted Instagram story reading, “Loyalty doesn’t live here anymore.”
Fans have also begun to rally behind the players, with supporters gathering outside the training ground holding banners reading “Justice for Darren” and “Back the Boys, Not the Board.”
Football pundits have called the situation “unprecedented” for the South London club. Former Palace striker Clinton Morrison commented on Sky Sports:
“You don’t often see this kind of open revolt. It shows how much Darren meant to the dressing room—and how fragile the relationship between the squad and the board has become.”
With pre-season just weeks away and the club’s transfer strategy now in jeopardy, pressure is mounting on manager Oliver Glasner, who is reportedly caught between ownership demands and player loyalty.
As of this morning, players are said to be refusing further training sessions until they receive a formal meeting with the chairman. Unless resolved swiftly, Crystal Palace could be facing not only a crisis of leadership but a potential exodus of key talent before the summer window opens.
This is a developing story. More updates to follow.
