Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a characteristically enigmatic response to mounting speculation linking him with the soon-to-be-vacant managerial position at Manchester United. The Austrian's comments come as his current side prepare for a standout FA Cup third-round tie away at non-league Macclesfield, live on BBC One this Saturday lunchtime.
"I Am Not Allowed to Bet": Glasner's Cryptic Stance
The managerial merry-go-round at Old Trafford was set in motion after Ruben Amorim was dismissed by the Red Devils. While interim solutions like Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick are being considered, Glasner has emerged as a leading contender for the permanent role in the summer. His superb work at Selhurst Park has not gone unnoticed by the United hierarchy.
When directly questioned about the rumours in his pre-match press conference, Glasner offered a puzzling reply. "I am not allowed to bet," he stated. "My contract has one paragraph that I am not allowed to bet. And I don’t look at it." Pressed further on whether outsiders should wager on him taking the job, he smiled and added, "I also cannot give insider information. That would also be breaking my contract. I am Crystal Palace manager and it makes no sense for you to ask more questions about it."
Contract Talks and the Fragility of Management
Adding significant intrigue to the situation is the fact that Glasner's contract with Crystal Palace expires this summer. He confirmed that discussions over a new deal will intensify in the coming weeks. "In the next weeks, we will intensify the talks," Glasner revealed. "We go up north and then everyone gets three days off after Macclesfield, then we have to target four regular weeks. In those weeks, I expect to find a final decision."
However, the manager was keen to point out the inherent instability of football management, referencing a spate of recent Premier League sackings. "You can sign a new contract, like managers did in the Premier League this year, and [now] they aren't the manager there any more," he noted pragmatically. He emphasised that success is the only true job security, stating, "Even if I sign a new contract, you could ask me every day, 'What is the future?'... It is the only thing to survive [in] this job."
Tactical Considerations and Palace's Future
Glasner's potential candidacy at Manchester United may face a familiar hurdle. His predecessor Amorim's unwavering commitment to a 3-4-3 system contributed to his fallout with sporting director Jason Wilcox. Glasner himself is a devoted advocate of a back three, a fact that could give United's decision-makers pause.
Earlier this season, Glasner spoke warmly about Amorim's tactical approach, drawing parallels with his own philosophy. "We're playing the same system. So it looks like it's a good attacking system," he said. He also praised United's evolution under Amorim, highlighting their improved work rate and a £200 million investment in their attack, including players like Bryan Mbeumo.
With key Eagles players like Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise already departed and Marc Guehi likely to follow, Glasner may feel he has reached a natural conclusion with his project in South London. His immediate focus, however, remains on navigating a potential banana skin at Moss Rose and continuing Crystal Palace's defence of the FA Cup, even as questions about his long-term future grow louder.
