With the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, the club, which has cycled through 10 permanent or interim coaches since the retirement of their most esteemed manager, Alex Ferguson, in 2013, must seek yet again for a leader who can steer them back to their former successes.
Among the leading contenders for what is regarded as football’s toughest job are Enzo Maresca, who made a dramatic exit from Chelsea on New Year’s Day, Oliver Glasner, Gareth Southgate, Michael Carrick, Xavi Hernandez, England manager Thomas Tuchel, and United’s interim coach Darren Fletcher.
Maresca ranks high on the list—accessible, ambitious, and bringing along a fresh Club World Cup trophy from his stint at Chelsea. However, the friction over support and recruitment that led to his departure from the west London side last week suggests that United might be trading one unhappy manager for another.
Maresca is also rumored to be in the running for the Manchester City job as Pep Guardiola’s successor, although the prospect of an immediate return to management at United could be appealing to the Italian.
Historically, transitions from Chelsea to Manchester have been challenging. Jose Mourinho lasted less than a season from 2016 to 2018, and Dave Sexton found little success at Old Trafford during his tenure in the 1970s.
Crystal Palace’s Glasner brings a compelling mix of pragmatism and structure. He led the London club to their first major trophy in the FA Cup last season and transformed a mid-table side into one of the league’s most organized outfits using the same 3-4-3 system that Amorim favored.
Though Glasner may be difficult to attract away from Palace, his contract status and ambitions make him a feasible target, especially if United chooses to wait until summer. He is tied to a contract until June and has yet to affirm his long-term plans.
There’s also a perception that the 51-year-old handles media—and by extension, pressure—better than Amorim did, which could be a significant advantage at Old Trafford.
Xavi presents a different kind of opportunity: prioritizing identity and ideals over immediate pragmatism. Having left Barcelona in 2024, he is associated with a possession-focused, youth-driven approach that emphasizes control through the ball.
There have long been discussions that he is open to the Premier League and particularly intrigued by United; however, his lack of experience in English football means that acclimatization—and patience—would be necessary. If United is seeking a cultural overhaul rather than a quick fix, Xavi could be the right fit, although early turbulence during this adjustment phase is probable.
Strong Connections
His availability makes him a top contender.
Carrick, a former midfielder for the Red Devils, is a name that resonates well with United fans.
Carrick briefly took charge as United’s caretaker manager for three matches in 2021, resulting in wins against Arsenal and Villarreal, and a draw with Chelsea.
The 44-year-old, also available, later bolstered his coaching credentials at Middlesbrough before being dismissed in June after failing to elevate them from the Championship.
While Southgate is reported to maintain a good relationship with United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and sporting director Jason Wilcox, he stated in November that he is not “desperate to stay in football.”
Southgate has also openly discussed the intense scrutiny faced as the England manager during the 2024 Euros and may not be eager to take on the cutthroat atmosphere of the Premier League, particularly at United, a club under relentless public attention.
Fletcher, United’s technical director and under-18 manager, is an unlikely choice, though he possesses a unique mix of coaching experience and boardroom insight that could prove advantageous.
Former United defender and pundit Rio Ferdinand included Tuchel, whose contract with England extends to the 2026 World Cup, on his shortlist.
The German, who guided England to eight wins in eight matches during World Cup qualifying, was linked to the United position following Erik ten Hag’s firing and is believed to have met with Ratcliffe to discuss the role.
The troubles surrounding United’s coaching situation are nothing new. Since Ferguson’s departure, the club has seen a revolving door of management, cycling through various philosophies and styles, from David Moyes to Louis van Gaal, Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, and most recently Amorim, without addressing the underlying issues concerning identity and a cohesive football vision.
Amorim’s downfall was partly connected to conflicts over role definitions—manager versus head coach—and the limitations on his influence regarding recruitment. The next appointee must find success within that framework rather than trying to alter it.
