EXCLUSIVE

• Published: 5:00, 6 Nov 2025

Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner in a surprising club vs country row.

The USMNT boss reacted to comments from Glasner over the use of Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards in last month’s friendly internationals against Ecuador and Australia.

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Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was left fuming by Pochettino's use of Richards who was carrying an injuryCredit: Getty

Glasner was left infuriated after Pochettino ignored the Premier League club’s advice to rest Richards for the two friendlies.

Richards, who was carrying a lingering injury, played the full 90 minutes in both fixtures causing Glasner to hit out at the ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss.

“My only complaint is the U.S. team didn’t talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks,” Glasner told reporters.

“We talked to them and said he should rest as they were just friendlies. But they played him twice, every single minute. That’s a little bit disappointing. On the other side, we’ve tried to manage his minutes here."

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Richards was later sidelined for Palace’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool at Anfield with a calf...