Speculation over new Manchester United manager ‘wasted time’, says Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner on Jan 6 batted away questions over the managerial vacancy at Manchester United, saying cryptically that he is “not allowed to bet”.

The Austrian is among the bookies’ favourites

to replace Ruben Amorim,

who was sacked the previous day after 14 months at Old Trafford

.

Glasner, 51, has impressed since arriving at Palace in 2024, leading them to their first major trophy

by winning the FA Cup last season

.

The Palace boss, who is out of contract at the end of the season, said in December that talks over a potential new deal at Selhurst Park were on hold.

Speaking on the eve of his side’s English Premier League home game against high-flying Aston Villa, he was evasive when asked about the United job.

“I’m not allowed to bet,” he said. “My contract has one paragraph (that says) I’m not allowed to bet. I don’t look at it.”

Glasner was asked whether it would be wise to back him to be United’s next manager.

“I also can’t give insider information because also I would be breaking my contract,” he said with a smile.

“I’m Crystal Palace manager. It just makes no sense and it’s wasted time for you to ask me any more questions so I don’t talk about any other club.”

Glasner said the length of managers’ contracts had limited meaning.

“You can win trophies and six months later you aren’t the manager there any more so I think if you see the length of a contract it doesn’t mean anything about the future,” he said.

“Even if I sign a new contract you could ask me every day, ‘What’s the future?’

“Ruben Amorim

said he had 18 months left

in his press conference and he’s not the manager any more.

“There’s one situation that keeps you in your job when you’re a manager – this is being successful.” AFP