Manchester United are searching for their next manager after sacking Ruben Amorim and Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been tipped to get the job.
Ex-Chelsea and England star Joe Cole has backed Oliver Glasner as the ideal candidate to manage Manchester United – and explained why it was the “right time” for Ruben Amorim to leave the club. United parted company with Amorim on Monday, with the 40-year-old spending just 14 months in charge at Old Trafford.
Darren Fletcher has been placed in temporary charge of United for the time being and will oversee the Premier League game at Burnley on Wednesday night.
There have already been reports Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could return to United to take the job – on a interim basis until the end of the season – while the club searches for a long-term appointment.
Glasner has been linked with the United manager’s job in recent days, but was quick to dismiss the speculation when such questions were put to him during a recent press conference.
Cole has, meanwhile, explained he has sympathy for Amorim following the Portuguese’s departure from United.
“It was the right time,” Cole told Paddy Power. “When he came into the club and everyone was expecting him to just breeze in and waltz it like he did at [Sporting] Lisbon, I was never fully on board with that.
“The ownership need to have a look at themselves, as well. You’ve had Dave Brailsford in there, but the club has been a mess for so many years now and I do feel sorry for Ruben [Amorim].”
Cole also went on to explain why he’s tipping Glasner to be the club’s permanent successor to Amorim – pointing to the Austrian’s current contract situation at Selhurst Park as one that could help United.
“Well, it’s a similar situation with Chelsea, you aren’t looking at the top boys anymore,” Cole said.
“You aren’t shopping there,” Cole said.
“So Crystal Palace fans won’t like me for saying this, but letting your manager go down to six months left on his contract is worrying for them, because I think Oliver Glasner could be someone that can get Manchester United back on track if the people above him let him do his job.
“Is there a system in place behind the scenes? Are they going to work together?
“Can they work together? What’s that relationship like long-term?
“You can have the best manager in the world and the best director of football in the world – and the best sports Scientists – but if they don’t work together, then it can’t work.”
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
2026-01-07 17:17:10
