Manchester United are starting to put together a list of managerial options for the summer, with several names already being discussed as possible replacements for Michael Carrick.
The club parted ways with Ruben Amorim last week following a 14-month stint that saw United finish 15th in the Premier League and lose the Europa League final to Tottenham.
Amorim’s position became untenable after he publicly questioned Ineos. The board reacted by giving Darren Fletcher two games as caretaker before he returned to his role with the U18s.
On Tuesday, Manchester United announced that Michael Carrick would step in as head coach until the end of the campaign, taking over from Amorim on an interim basis.
The Red Devils are expected to finalise their shortlist over the coming months before making a decision ahead of next season.
Oliver Glasner was initially high on their list, but Crystal Palace’s poor run of form has hurt his standing, especially after their recent FA Cup exit at Macclesfield Town.
Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi are now the frontrunners for Man Utd job
With Glasner struggling to turn things around at Crystal Palace, currently sitting 13th in the league, attention has started to shift elsewhere.
There is growing frustration among fans as well, adding even more pressure on the club’s leadership to get this decision right.
Carrick could play his way into consideration if he impresses in his interim spell, while Gareth Southgate continues to be linked with the role due to his strong ties with Ineos.
There are other names being thrown around too. Xabi Alonso was just let go by Real Madrid earlier this week, and Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola has also been mentioned.
But Jamie Jackson of The Guardian told Sky Sports that Thomas Tuchel and Roberto De Zerbi are two names he keeps hearing connected to the position.
“I think they’re after Tuchel or De Zerbi, those are the two names I hear as the faves,” Jackson revealed.
“I don’t know what you think about that. I think Tuchel knows his stuff.
“He did kind of turn them down previously when they looked like they were going to sack Ten Hag before the FA Cup Final, what was it? May 2024, going back a couple of years, you remember, then they met him in Monaco or the rest of it. But yeah, so, you know, heavyweight manager.
“I still think that United have never had a heavyweight manager at the top of his game since Ferguson. So Mourinho went in there, but I think he was over the hill a little bit. Van Gaal the same, and then after that, you’re looking at sort of people with potential on the way up.”
Rio Ferdinand backs Roberto De Zerbi for Manchester United job
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has thrown his support behind Roberto De Zerbi for the club’s permanent head coach position.
De Zerbi, who was previously linked to the United role before taking over at Marseille, is someone the Englishman still sees as a strong fit for Old Trafford.
Speaking on ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’, he said: “Someone who’s free right now; not free [but] someone who’s gettable.
“More than someone like Tuchel, because Tuchel would be one of my biggest picks as well, is De Zerbi. I’m telling you. Any formation he wants to play, the guy is a proper coach who gets players working and playing.”
The Italian manager currently has Marseille sitting third in Ligue 1, eight points behind leaders Lens.
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