The search for a new Manchester United manager has officially begun. After just 14 months in charge, Ruben Amorim was sacked on Monday following his recent criticism of the club's hierarchy at Old Trafford.
United currently sit sixth in the Premier League and remain in contention for a Champions League place for next season.
According to BBC Sport, Darren Fletcher will lead the team for a few games, before the club appoints an interim manager until the end of the season.
But the main question remains: who will take over the Red Devils permanently in the summer?
Experienced Premier League coaches
After successive failures with Erik ten Hag, Ralf Rangnick and most recently Amorim, the dilemma at "Old Trafford" is whether to choose a proven coach in the Premier League.
Unai Emery is one of the most talked about names. The Spaniard has done a remarkable job with Aston Villa, taking the club out of the relegation zone and into European and even title contenders. Villa are currently third in the table, just six points behind leaders Arsenal. However, his mixed spell at Arsenal could be seen as a setback.
Another interesting name is Andoni Iraola. He has attracted attention after last season with Bournemouth, who finished ninth. Although the Cherries are currently on an 11-match winless run, it would be difficult for Iraola to turn down an offer from Manchester United.
Oliver Glasner, whose contract at Crystal Palace expires in the summer, won the FA Cup last season, while Eddie Howe ended Newcastle's long wait for a major trophy by winning the Carabao Cup. Both could be tempted by a new challenge at Old Trafford.
Solution from within the club?
Another possibility is an internal appointment. Darren Fletcher, the former United midfielder and current Under-18 coach, is 41 and spent 11 years as a player under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Another obvious candidate is Michael Carrick. The former United midfielder has been out of work since being sacked by Middlesbrough in June. Carrick, now 44, made 463 appearances for United over 12 years, winning 17 trophies before retiring in 2018. It remains to be seen whether he will still be out of work by the summer.
Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is another name linked with United. The 39-year-old, a former United first-team assistant, has impressed in his first managerial role. He led Ipswich to two successive promotions to the Premier League and, after being relegated last season, has now guided them to third place in the Championship. Another promotion would significantly strengthen his case.
What about an Ole Gunnar Solskjaer return? Although it seems unlikely, the Norwegian remains free and still very much loved by the fans. His spell between 2018 and 2021 ended in disappointment, but does he deserve more credit? Just over four years ago, United finished second in the Premier League under him, scoring 73 goals, more than in any season since Ferguson left in 2013.
Big names from Europe
From the continent, there is no shortage of options. Mauricio Pochettino, currently the USA coach, has been repeatedly linked with United. With the World Cup taking place in the US this summer, United's wait for a permanent appointment could suit him.
Xavi, the former Barcelona coach, has been out of work since 2024 and a move to the Premier League would undoubtedly be tempting for him. Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain as part of last season's treble, remains in charge of the French club, but has won everything in Paris.
Zinedine Zidane is still out of a job four years after leaving Real Madrid, but it remains a question mark whether he still has any hope of one day managing France. Roberto De Zerbi, who has experience in England from his time at Brighton, is doing an impressive job at Marseille. However, his straightforward honesty could be seen as a problem for the United hierarchy.
Gareth Southgate has long been linked with United but ruled himself out before Amorim's appointment, stating he would not return to management for at least a year after leaving England. Now, after a spell out of work since July 2024, could he be ready for a return?
He managed England for 102 games in eight years, leading them to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final. United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is known to be an admirer, but Southgate has not managed a club since leaving Middlesbrough 16 years ago.
Another name available is Enzo Maresca, sacked by Chelsea last week. He is a free agent and, like Southgate, could be an option for both the short term and the long term.
The final decision will be vital for the future of Manchester United, which seeks stability and a return to the top of English and European football.Telegrafi
