Here's a twist nobody saw coming. Jurgen Klopp might be walking away from his Red Bull job, and it could completely change Manchester United's plans for their next permanent manager.
Klopp took the 'Global Head of Soccer' role at Red Bull just months ago, overseeing their clubs in Leipzig, Salzburg, Brazil, and New York. But Austrian reports suggest he's already considering leaving. The problem? None of the Red Bull clubs are challenging for titles, and that's not sitting well with the former Liverpool boss.
So why should United fans care? Because Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has been linked with both jobs. If Klopp leaves Red Bull, they want Glasner to replace him. That would take him off United's shortlist completely.
Glasner's Stock Has Dropped
The Austrian manager announced he's leaving Selhurst Park at the end of the season. Back in mid-January, his odds to become United's next boss were slashed in half. He looked like a serious contender.
But things have changed dramatically. Palace's form has collapsed since Christmas, and the fans have turned on Glasner. More importantly, people inside Old Trafford aren't convinced he's the right fit. Some reckon he'd struggle just like Ruben Amorim did before getting sacked in January.
Glasner does have Red Bull connections, though. He previously worked at RB Salzburg as both a sporting coordinator and assistant coach. Austrian media report he's confident he could handle Klopp's role if offered.
Carrick Making His Case
While all this drama unfolds, Michael Carrick is quietly doing the business as interim manager. His recent 1-0 win at Everton pushed United into fourth place. That's Champions League territory, and the gap to third-placed Aston Villa is the same as the gap down to fifth-placed Chelsea.
Carrick's record speaks for itself: five wins and one draw since taking charge. He was only supposed to be a temporary solution until summer, but these results are impossible to ignore. United are in excellent shape to finish top three, especially with Villa juggling Europa League commitments.
Other names still floating around include Gareth Southgate, Roberto De Zerbi, and Julian Nagelsmann. But United won't rush this decision. They're waiting until the end of the season at the earliest to make their move. With Carrick keeping the ship steady and Klopp potentially creating a domino effect in the manager market, United might have more options than they thought. Or fewer, depending on what Red Bull decides to do.
