Manchester United's hunt for a new permanent manager has taken a fresh turn, with Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner emerging as a leading contender. However, the Austrian's well-documented history of outspoken criticism and clashes with sporting directors serves as a stark warning to the Old Trafford leadership.
A History of Hierarchy Clashes
The Red Devils parted ways with Ruben Amorim in early January 2026 following a disappointing draw with Leeds, ending a brief and reportedly strained tenure. As the club looks for a successor, Glasner's name is at the forefront, but his past suggests potential for friction.
Back in November 2020, while in charge of German side Wolfsburg, Glasner publicly criticised the club's management, specifically taking aim at sporting director Jorg Schmadtke. He voiced frustration over failed transfer targets, stating, "One of our targets was to bring in a player with pace and deep runs. We didn't manage to do that, despite talking about it for months." Schmadtke hit back, calling Glasner's ideas "unrealistic," and their relationship never recovered.
Continuing Frustrations at Crystal Palace
Glasner's forthright nature has not dimmed during his time in the Premier League with Crystal Palace. The FA Cup-winning manager has repeatedly expressed his discontent with the club's level of investment, particularly as they prepared for European competition.
In November 2025, he admitted, "I would have wished for a little bit more backing, yes." He also suggested the winter transfer window was merely for correcting summer mistakes. Furthermore, reports last year claimed Glasner threatened to leave Selhurst Park if defender Marc Guehi was sold to Liverpool on deadline day, an assertion he later denied.
A Cautionary Tale for Both Sides
These incidents will likely give Manchester United executives Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox pause for thought as they seek a stable appointment. The club's hierarchy will be acutely aware of Amorim's recent complaints about being treated as a mere 'coach' rather than a 'manager' with full control.
Interestingly, Glasner may also need to heed a warning from Amorim's experience. The departed Portuguese coach lamented his inability to implement his preferred 3-4-3 formation at United, citing a lack of funds and time. Glasner is also a known advocate of a three-at-the-back system, suggesting similar structural challenges could await him at Old Trafford if appointed.
The search for Erik ten Hag's long-term successor remains fraught with complexity, and Glasner's proven quality is tempered by a personality that demands alignment with the club's vision—a lesson United have just learned the hard way.
