Oliver Glasner, who has lifted Crystal Palace out of the ditch, is naturally being singled out as a manager candidate for Manchester United after Ruben Amorim’s abrupt departure from Old Trafford. But the Austrian coach does not seem to want to feed the speculation.
In his first public appearance since Amorim was sacked, Glasner was direct and even dismissive when asked about his possible future at United. “I’m the coach of Crystal Palace. It makes no sense, and it’s a waste of time that you ask more questions about it,” he told the media without explicitly ruling himself out as a candidate.
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A profile that fits on paper
Glasner’s link to United is no coincidence. The 51-year-old took over Palace almost three seasons ago, when the club was on the verge of relegation, and completely reversed the sporting direction. Under his leadership, the Eagles won the first two titles in their history last year, establishing a recognizable and competitive project.
Their successful 3-4-2-1 system – the very one Amorim never managed to implement continuously in Manchester – reinforces his appeal for a club seeking identity and tactical stability. The fact that United have opted for a temporary solution until the end of the season has further increased speculation: Glasner’s contract at Selhurst Park expires in the summer.
Contract, patience and realism
Despite the rumours, the lack of renewal is not due to a break with the club. Palace chairman Steve Parish has been clear: “I desperately want him to stay.” However, Glasner has been pragmatic in his statements about contract and continuity.
“You can sign a new contract and stop training the following year. Duration means nothing,” he has reflected, pointing to the instability on the coaching bench in the Premier League. According to the coach himself, the main obstacle to the negotiations has been the hectic match schedule. However, he has indicated that talks will intensify in the weeks to come, when the team will have a period without midweek games.
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Calculated silence
Before considering a permanent successor like Glasner, Manchester United must solve the present. The club will choose an interim manager until May, despite the team being in sixth place when Amorim was sacked, only outside the Champions League places on goal difference.
Among the most mentioned candidates are Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, a symbol of a nostalgic time, Michael Carrick, who is highly valued internally, and Ruud van Nistelrooy. The latter served as interim coach in the autumn of 2024 and delivered four games without defeat with three wins and eleven goals scored.
While Old Trafford seeks a temporary solution and plans for the future, Glasner is sticking to his message. He neither confirms nor denies. His silence does not extinguish the rumours, but makes it clear that his focus – at least publicly – is still on Crystal Palace. Summer will determine the outcome. Until then, the Austrian coach prefers to let the performances on the pitch do the talking, not the speculation in the office.
