Oliver Glasner has garnered headlines for his incredible run with Crystal Palace. After taking over the side in January, he has guided the team on an impressive 18-game unbeaten run. The result of his astounding four-year spell has seen the club claim the FA Cup last campaign, their first major trophy in 29 years. This campaign started in earnest with them raising the Community Shield. As such, Glasner is the hottest name in football right now. In the process, he has become something of a bookmakers’ favorite for any future Manchester United managerial vacancy.
Despite his success at Crystal Palace, experts are divided on whether he would be the right fit for Manchester United. Former player and pundit, Paul Merson, has been particularly vocal in his doubt over Glasner’s suitability to address the club’s requirements. Merson’s remarks prompt a closer examination of Glasner’s tactical approaches and how they align with United’s identity.
Glasner’s Tactical Flexibility
Oliver Glasner has a reputation of being flexible with his formations. He insists on a 4-4-2 formation. He realizes that he needs to find different strategies to maximize the players he has at his disposal.
“My favourite system is 4-4-2 but do we have the right players for this?” – Oliver Glasner
At Crystal Palace, Glasner has successfully utilized a three-at-the-back system. This really shines a light on his ability to change tactics within games in order to utilize the strengths and weaknesses of his roster. Most notably, he proved his adaptability through leadership across other professional sectors. At one stop, he advanced a four-four-two diamond shape in a promotion from the Austrian second tier, before swapping to a three-four-three in his next gig.
At Wolfsburg, he took his club to the Champions League. Deploying a devilishly crafty 4-2-3-1 all the way, he demonstrated how good managers can play different teams in different ways. His notable success with a three-at-the-back formation while at Eintracht Frankfurt further enhances his merits. This noteworthy track record underscores the breadth and depth of his management experience.
Recent Achievements at Crystal Palace
Glasner’s success at Crystal Palace would be enough to establish his managerial genius. Leading the team to an FA Cup victory last season and starting this campaign with a Community Shield triumph have cemented his status as a top contender in the league.
The recent dramatic last-gasp league win this weekend over Liverpool only further exemplifies their resilience and determination forged under Glasner’s guidance. These achievements raise his profile tremendously. They heighten sense of speculation over his long term future with one of England’s most storied clubs.
His shockingly good record of an 18-game unbeaten run reveals his tactical expertise. It serves to showcase his legendary talent for team camaraderie and cohesion. Glasner has clearly been able to build up a winning mentality that has filtered down into Champions League-caliber performances on the pitch.
Concerns About Fit with Manchester United
Even a manager as successful and admired as Oliver Glasner would face an uphill task at Crystal Palace. Not everyone agrees he is the right fit for Manchester United. Paul Merson thinks that Glasner would not be suited to expectations at Old Trafford. He believes the culture there would be at odds with a Glasner style.
Glasner himself underlined the need to make sure players know tactical demands to thrive.
“It’s important the players know what we want to do and this is what decides about being successful or not.” – Oliver Glasner
This statement suggests that Glasner values clarity and communication within his squad, which is paramount for any manager looking to thrive at a high-pressure club like Manchester United.
Merson’s worries underline just how difficult the transition between clubs can be. The step-up from Crystal Palace to Manchester United involves weeks, if not months, of heavy history and heat-seeking pressure. To find the right man, the culture of success and flair at United requires something special. That would be a sharp departure from how Glasner found success in Palace.
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