INEOS launched secret mission to replace Amorim with “Klopp 2.0” weeks before United coach was sacked – report

Just a day after Ruben Amorim was dismissed as Manchester United head coach, fresh revelations are beginning to surface behind the scenes. The most striking of these is that United had already sounded out a leading manager as a potential successor well before pulling the plug on the 40‑year‑old’s reign at Old Trafford. Glasner approached According to journalist Fraser Fletcher, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner had been discreetly approached about the possibility of taking charge at Old Trafford. Via Teamtalk, Fletcher reports: “Glasner had information passed to him that he was on United’s shortlist a few weeks ago, before the sacking of Ruben Amorim.” That early contact appears to have swayed Glasner’s thinking about his future at Selhurst Park. With Fletcher further revealing: “This knowledge has influenced his decisions regarding his future, including turning down opportunities to extend his current contract at Palace, which is set to expire at the end of the season.” Glasner coy on United links Speaking to the media today, Glasner refused to directly address speculation that he is the bookmakers’ favourite to succeed Amorim. Yet to many, he is precisely the candidate INEOS should pursue. After all, Glasner has transformed Palace from relegation battlers into a solid mid‑table outfit and even into a team that has qualified for Europe. His tactical nous is plain to see, and his reputation for brilliance has long been acknowledged. Glasner: Klopp 2.0? Glasner’s credentials were enhanced during Eintracht Frankfurt’s remarkable Europa League triumph in 2021‑22. German football expert Constantin Eckner observed: “While Glasner had been known as a calm and even restrained manager, he seemed to come out of his shell during that Europa League run, often supporting his players through gestures and instructions with a kind of intensity akin to Jürgen Klopp.” With his Palace contract set to lapse in the summer, Glasner could well be there for the taking when INEOS make their move. INEOS plan For now, Darren Fletcher has stepped in as interim head coach, tasked with guiding United against Burnley and possibly Brighton in the FA Cup. A caretaker appointment is expected to follow, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer strongly tipped to steady the ship until the summer. Ultimately, though, the permanent role may beckon for Glasner. And just as Jürgen Klopp revitalised Liverpool, Glasner could be the man to end United’s long wait for league glory. Featured image Clive Mason via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.