Oliver Glasner’s departure from Crystal Palace has not improved his prospects of becoming Manchester United manager, with Roberto De Zerbi and Thomas Tuchel the current leading picks.
Glasner was identified by some United executives as being a candidate to succeed Ruben Amorim on a permanent basis in the summer following the Portuguese’s sacking.
The 51-year-old has impressed at Palace since his arrival two years ago, but The i Paper has been told that a recent run of nine games without a win in all competitions has seen his stock fall. That streak included the greatest shock in FA Cup history as his side were beaten by non-league Macclesfield.
Glasner revealed on Friday that he would be leaving Palace at the end of the season. That was widely expected anyway and is not understood to have altered United’s thinking.
The United hierarchy have looked at a host of names, with Michael Carrick in place as head coach until the end of the season.
Enrique not interested
Tuchel and De Zerbi are among the top contenders, with sources telling The i Paper that senior figures want a manager who can bring bold and innovative ideas, work within a structure, and who unlike Amorim has Premier League experience under their belt.
There was plenty of talk United would go all out for Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique after rumours suggested he was seeking a new challenge and fancied a crack at the Premier League, given he speaks near-perfect English.
Sources in Paris played down those reports, insisting Luis Enrique is happy where he is and still has unfinished business with the European champions. He is also expected to extend his contract beyond his current deal, which expires in 2027.
Tuchel’s future
Some see Tuchel as unattainable, given he has only been England coach for just over a year, and has already turned down United once.
Other sources believe Tuchel would be open to the challenge, especially after the upcoming World Cup when his contract runs out. Someone with the German’s intensity may not be willing to wait around for two years for the next major tournament.
Tuchel also has experience of working under directors of football in the club structure Ineos are determined to stick with – something that eventually became too much for Amorim.
De Zerbi’s style of football
De Zerbi is another that fits the Ineos bill. The Italian has been on United’s radar ever since his Brighton teams regularly outplayed United during his time in the Premier League.
The Marseille manager has continued to impress in France, finishing second last term behind PSG while playing an attacking brand of football United supporters would love to call their own.
De Zerbi has always been popular among his players and uniting dressing rooms is said to be his speciality – a trait United could currently do with.
Other options
Maurico Pochettino, Marco Silva, Xabi Alonso and Xavi are on a long list of others who have been looked it, but as it stands sit below De Zerbi and Tuchel in the pecking order.
While Carrick is aware he is only in the role on an interim basis, there is always the chance that he may be offered the role permanently if he guides United back into the Champions League next season. After all, the club has previous, doing so with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
It is understood that eventuality is not currently on Ineos’ radar and is one of many previous failings they are hoping the club can learn from and not repeat.
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