Glasner would be the perfect next Man Utd manager and here are five reasons why | Football | Sport
Oliver Glasner is in the running to replace Ruben Amorim as the new head coach of Manchester United. The 51-year-old Austrian took the reins at Selhurst Park in February 2024, following a disappointing stint by Roy Hodgson. Glasner not only saved the club from relegation but also guided them to their first major trophies – the FA Cup and the Community Shield – and a top-four Premier League position earlier this season.
Currently embarking on their inaugural European journey in the UEFA Conference League, Crystal Palace’s hectic schedule has left no room for contract discussions for Glasner, whose contract expires in June. However, his potential move to Old Trafford could be beneficial for both parties, and here’s why….
1) He is a proven winner
In Germany, Glasner steered Wolfsburg into the Champions League before leading Eintracht Frankfurt to Europa League glory, overcoming Barcelona and West Ham along the way.
He has etched his name in Crystal Palace’s history books by securing the FA Cup and the Community Shield, with memorable victories over Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley.
2) He plays 3-4-3 but is flexible
Glasner favours a three centre-back formation, allowing his wing-backs the freedom to push forward. The team’s recent dip in form coincides with Daniel Munoz’s injury.
Starting his managerial career at SV Reid and later as an assistant at Red Bull Salzburg, Glasner initially employed a 4-4-2 formation. He continued this approach at LASK, only switching it up upon their promotion to the top flight.
He explained: “My two centre backs were too often surprised with long balls and I’m very pragmatic and I thought: ‘Okay, we need somebody who protects the space behind our centre backs. We have to take the one striker out and put him in between the middle ones. Of course not like a libero in former times but to be more compact and consistent in defence.
“I have played 4-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-3, 3-5-2, I played everything, but the patterns were the same. So the philosophy never changed, but the system changes.” And he insists having three central defenders works at Palace now because of his squad profile. “We have no physical monsters in central midfield,” he explained.
But before hosting Amorim’s side at Selhurst Park in November, Glasner said: “It’s really funny that sometimes it’s talking about this 3-4-3 system and I think that Man United and ourselves have the highest xg in the Premier League for scoring goals and playing the same system. So it looks like it’s a good attacking system.”
3) He is out of contract this summer
Manchester United are set to shell out £10m for the 18 months remaining on Amorim’s deal after splashing £200m in the summer transfer window. Glasner would arrive without any compensation fee in the summer and without requiring an immediate squad overhaul. The Austrian also relishes life in the UK and discovering London.
4) He is smart and diplomatic
Glasner has managed the looming exit of his skipper Marc Guehi with aplomb – and possesses a sense of humour. He quipped before Christmas that he had been too occupied to purchase his wife a gift and donned his fortunate black Boss jumper en route to FA Cup triumph.
He has expressed frustration regarding sluggish transfer activity in recent windows and demonstrated remarkable frankness following the home defeat to the Old Trafford outfit, voicing concerns about his squad’s depth for domestic and European competition.
He said: “It’s the first time in your history that you play European football. So let’s invest instead of saving. We saved and that’s what we’re facing. I would have wished for a little bit more backing, yes. I think in January we just correct what we failed to do in the summer.”
Crystal Palace shattered their club transfer record by securing Brennan Johnson for £35million in the opening days of the January window.
5) He cannot take Palace any further
Glasner has worked wonders despite the South London outfit offloading Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze during the previous two summer windows – whilst skipper Guehi’s contract expires in the summer and he will depart then if not sooner.
Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta will also attract interest from major clubs come season’s end, as Palace are unlikely to secure European qualification once more.
