Shock exits, new face and January transfer plans - Best bits from Premier League manager press conferences
Updated 16/01/2026 at 19:13 GMT
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After an unforgettable weekend of FA Cup action, the Premier League returns and managers have been speaking to the media to preview this weekend's matches. Press conferences can be a dull affair at times, but this week has seen a manager announce his departure from the club as well as a new face beginning his role at one of the biggest clubs in the world. TNT Sports brings you the best bits.
'It didn't bother me' - Carrick shrugs off Keane's pre-derby United jibe
Video credit: SNTV
Following an unforgettable weekend of FA Cup action where TNT Sports was present for Macclesfield's shock win over Crystal Palace and Manchester United getting dumped out at Old Trafford, the Premier League is back.
You can follow all the action from the City Ground live on TNT Sports and discovery+, as Nottingham Forest host league leaders Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.
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.
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Glasner announces two shock exits
Friday turned out to be an eventful day for Crystal Palace supporters - and not for the right reasons.
With the club still reeling from their shock FA Cup exit to non-League Macclesfield last week, Palace boss Oliver Glasner made two announcements in his press conference which rocked the fanbase.
"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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Highlights: Macclesfield SHOCK holders Crystal Palace in cupset for the ages
Video credit: TNT Sports
"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."
The Frenchman also confirmed that club captain Marc Guehi is edging closer to leaving Selhurst Park this month.
"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."
These were the final words of Ruben Amorim's tenure at Manchester United before he was sacked by the Old Trafford hierarchy.
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.
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"It didn't bother me," Carrick explained when asked about Keane's recent dig.
"[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?
It was only last month when Salah publicly came out and claimed that he was "thrown under the bus" by Liverpool and that his relationship with Slot had broken down.
However, with the "Egyptian King" set to return to Anfield following more AFCON heartbreak, Slot confirmed that both men had a conversation and said he was planning to play Salah next week in the UEFA Champions League.
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'Happy to have him back' - Slot on Salah returning from AFCON
Video credit: SNTV
"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.
Following their enthralling win at Chelsea on Wednesday, Declan Rice and Arsenal’s assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg were captured in a heated exchange in the Stamford Bridge tunnel.
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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No Filter: Martinelli silences Portsmouth boos with hat-trick
Video credit: TNT Sports
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.
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'Nothing to say' - Guardiola guarded amid reports of Guehi's imminent Man City arrival
Video credit: SNTV
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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Highlights: Roefs saves three penalties in shoot-out win for Sunderland at Everton
Video credit: TNT Sports
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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