Eddie Howe and Oliver Glasner have responded to reports linking them with the vacant managerial role at Manchester United.
Manchester United officially confirmed the sacking of Ruben Amorim early on Monday morning.
The Portuguese coach departs Old Trafford after 14 months at the helm, and his dismissal came off the back of his controversial comments after United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds last Sunday.
Amorim told members of the media in his post-match press conference that he came to England to be the Manchester United manager – not to be the club’s coach.
He also suggested that he would leave the club at the end of his contract in 2027.
His exit came as he topped the Premier League sack race odds market as favourite.
It has since been confirmed that former Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher will take over in an interim capacity while United chiefs conduct their search for a permanent replacement.
Ex-United defender Jonny Evans will support Fletcher as one of his assistant coaches.
Eddie Howe and Oliver Glasner on Manchester United Links
Several familiar names have been linked with the vacant role, one of them being Eddie Howe.
Howe, who led Newcastle to their first major trophy in 56 years last February, has dismissed reports linking him with the United job, stating that he remains 100% committed to the Magpies.
“Nothing has changed. I am 100% here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff that you guys write good or bad because it’s irrelevant,” he said on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s about today’s work and trying to prepare the team as well as we can for Leeds, so that will never change from my perspective, my commitment to my work and my job.
“As long as I’m happy and able to express myself in the best way that I can to help the team, nothing will change.”
Asked if he could be tempted away from St James’ Park, Howe said: “No, not at this current time.
“The most important thing for me is happiness in the role, happiness in the job, the relationships I have with the people around me.
“Now, that’s not always been consistently good and things can change at any football club.
“But, at the moment, I am very happy.”
Although unlikely given his comments, should Howe decide to leave Tyneside, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola is favoured to replace him in the next Newcastle manager odds market.
Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has also been heavily linked with Manchester United.
Ahead of the Eagles’ home clash against Aston Villa on Wednesday, the Austrian was asked if fans should be placing bets on him to take over from Amorim at Old Trafford.
“I am not allowed to bet. My contract has one paragraph that I am not allowed to bet. And I don’t look at it,” said Glasner as he quickly tried to change the subject.
He added: “I also cannot give insider information. That would also be breaking my contract. I am Crystal Palace manager and it makes no sense for you to ask more questions about it.”
Glasner Favourite for Manchester United Job
As it stands, Glasner is the favourite in the next Manchester United manager odds market.
This could explain why he was so coy when asked about the prospect of joining the Red Devils.
Last season’s FA Cup-winning boss is priced at 3/1 to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Recently departed Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca follows as the second favourite in the market. He is priced at 9/2 to reunite with Manchester United chiefs Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada.
Other leading options include Aston Villa’s Unai Emery, Fletcher on a permanent basis, Laurent Blanc, Xavi, Bournemouth’s Iraola, Gareth Southgate and former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Meanwhile, Howe’s chances of being appointed as the Red Devils’ boss are rated at 14/1.
United are next in action on Wednesday night as they head to Turf Moor to take on Burnley.
