Manchester United are looking for their next manager with interim coach Michael Carrick giving club bosses food for thought
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has been successful as United's interim boss(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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The identity of Manchester United's next manager is still unknown. While interim boss Michael Carrick has made a strong case to land the job on a permanent basis, it's believed the club are biding their time when it comes to appointing Ruben Amorim's full-time successor.
United bosses are remaining tight-lipped about their plans for next season, but Sky Sports has suggested the club have not yet made contact with any other potential candidates. The club's director of football, Jason Wilcox, and chief executive, Omar Berrada, reportedly believe there is no need to rush into a decision when the team is currently performing so well.
Ernesto Valverde
Former Barcelona coach Valverde has recently confirmed his departure from Athletic Club at the conclusion of the current season. He is in his third stint as the club's manager.
Athletic have had a challenging season and currently sit ninth in La Liga with nine league matches left, prompting Valverde to call time on his tenure.
The 62-year-old Spaniard was among the contenders for the interim manager role at United following the dismissal of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November 2021.
Ernesto Valverde
Ernesto Valverde is set to leave Spanish side Athletic Bilbao(Image: Getty Images)
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United approached Valverde, who had been unemployed since leaving Barcelona in 2020. Ultimately, United appointed Ralf Rangnick on a contract until the end of the 2021/22 season.
Mauricio Pochettino
United reportedly failed in their initial enquiry to lure ex-Spurs boss Pochettino to Old Trafford back in November 2021. Old Trafford chiefs were said to be long-term admirers of the Argentinian and they believed he could have been keen on taking the permanent position.
The former PSG boss was the club's primary target to replace Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2019, only for Solskjaer's caretaker spell to be so successful that he was handed a three-year contract.
Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino enjoyed a brilliant spell at Tottenham(Image: Getty Images)
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Managing the French giants at the time, the current manager of the United States national team was highly evasive when asked about his future in 2021. Pochettino laughed off speculation in a press conference saying: "Thank you, ciao", before walking away.
Thomas Frank
United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe reportedly held talks with Thomas Frank in the summer of 2024. According to a TV2 report, the talks apparently took place in May 2024, the day before United beat Manchester City in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
The report claimed that Ratcliffe interviewed Frank in his garage in London, while Chelsea were also keen on the Danish coach. In the end, United went on to extend Erik Ten Hag's contract before replacing him with Amorim five months later.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 07: Thomas Frank, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on February 07, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Thomas Frank was sacked by Tottenham after defeat against Newcastle(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Frank would go on to leave Brentford to take on the role of Tottenham manager, before being sacked himself earlier this season.
Speaking on interviewing for United and Chelsea, Frank told TV2: "I know I didn't get either job, but it was still huge. I remember walking through Battersea Park between the two interviews and thinking: 'Thomas Frank from f*****g Frederiksvaerk - am I really experiencing this?'"
Luis Enrique
The coaching icon was considered as a potential replacement following Solskjaer's dismissal in 2021. Instead, they ultimately appointed Ten Hag.
Enrique had been through a tragic loss in 2019 when his daughter died during his tenure as the manager of Spain, prompting the country's FA to grant him compassionate leave. Determined to honour his nation, Enrique returned to lead Spain at the 2022 World Cup, all but ending his chances of taking over at United.
Luis Enrique with the Champions League trophy
Luis Enrique has twice won the Champions League during his managerial career(Image: Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
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The reports were given weight by United author Andy Mitten, who took to X in 2025 with high praise for Enrique. He said: "Luis Enrique is a genius. He was as a player and he is as a coach. He should've become MUFC manager in '22, but the timings weren't right as he was at Spain ahead of the World Cup."
However, the PSG manager is now said to be one of the candidates United are looking at to take over this summer, should the 55-year-old step down from the French side.
Thomas Tuchel
United explored a move for Thomas Tuchel several months before appointing Amorim. Tuchel agreed terms with England in the autumn of 2024 and ultimately took charge in January 2025. According to The Athletic, United were still considering Tuchel a fortnight after their cup final win over City in 2024.
England head coach Thomas Tuchel
England head coach Thomas Tuchel(Image: 2026 The FA)
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The German even said to have met with United chiefs in Monaco but didn't reach an agreement and is said not to have been prepared to return to football so soon after leaving Bayern Munich.
The former Chelsea coach has since signed an extension with England that will see him lead the Three Lions into the 2028 European Championships.
Roberto De Zerbi
The highly-rated Italian has recently departed Marseille, with several clubs said to be keeping a close eye on him. De Zerbi's impressive spell at Brighton during his two years on the south coast reportedly caught United's attention before they approached Amorim.
MARSEILLE, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 3: Head Coach Roberto De Zerbi of Olympique de Marseille speaks after the French Cup match between Olympique de Marseille and Stade Rennais at Orange Velodrome on February 3, 2026 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Roberto De Zerbi has been linked with the Manchester United job(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
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However, Zerbi's talks reportedly stalled after the Italian rejected an initial United offer and an improved offer didn't arrive. De Zerbi is no longer believed to be in the running for the United job.
The 46-year-old is said to be 'relishing' the prospect of taking over at Tottenham, however, with their own interim boss, Igor Tudor, under immense pressure.
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Thomas Tuchel has finally started his role as Gareth Southgate's successor as England manager, with the German hoping to lead the Three Lions to World Cup glory in 2026
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Thomas Tuchel poses for a photo as he is announced as the new England manager at Wembley Stadium on October 16, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Thomas Tuchel has officially started his job as England manager(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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Thomas Tuchel finally begins his journey to the World Cup on January 1.
And his mission is quite simple: to turn England into world champions. Actually achieving it is the really difficult part. Tuchel does inherit an England team which is fourth in the FIFA world rankings and they have been consistent challengers for the major tournaments.
World Cup semi finalists, they have also reached back-to-back finals in the European Championships, so the leap should not have to be that big. But Tuchel’s task is to get England over the line, to turn them into the nearly men from Gareth Southgate ’s reign and into winners.
That means bringing a new tactical approach, getting a balanced, settled team and potentially rebuilding an ageing defence. Tuchel admitted at the World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich that he must convince any doubters - but he insists he can do that.
His reign begins with back-to-back qualifiers at home to Albania and Latvia. They are expected to win them both. He will be a regular face at Premier League grounds. Proving himself will be his first aim because there has been a lot of noise about a German managing England and Tuchel will know every minor setback will be met with cynicism from some quarters.
But surely a massive part of recruiting Tuchel was from his time at Chelsea … he took over a team with huge potential, big players, they were drifting - and yet his shock treatment meant they were crowned European champions five months later.
Tuchel only has an 18 month contract and so the task could not be clearer. And it was also obvious that the FA moved on Tuchel to ensure they did not lose him to another big club job.
Thomas Tuchel celebrates with the European Cup in May 2021
Tuchel has enjoyed a highly-successful managerial career, winning the Champions League with Chelsea in 2021(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
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If you ever needed an insight into the interest in England and also Tuchel managing England then it probably came at the World Cup draw. No country had as many media in attendance as England. When Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann came into the interview area, there were probably three journalists there.
When Craig Bellamy came from the broadcast area to have a chat, Tuchel arrived at the same time and even the Wales boss joked: “You can tell England are here.” It was a circus, a swarm of journalists following Tuchel and then a crowd around him which did not happen with any other manager. Not Germany, Spain or France. No-one.
The FA may have to be more front-of-shop themselves. Southgate became a national spokesman on a whole range of issues. Tuchel cannot be that man. Mark Bullingham, the chief executive, and technical director John McDermott may have to fill that void. Debbie Hewitt, the chair, is excellent.
Tuchel knows the expectation levels. And this is his first international job. But Tuchel carries a confidence and inner belief which makes him think he can do it. It is an 18 month gun-for-hire contract to win the World Cup for England.
If you think back to what he did with Chelsea and the Champions League in his first season, it feels like a good fit. Here, Mirror Football looks at Tuchel's in-tray.
1) The midfield riddle
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY - JUNE 30: Phil Foden, Kobbie Mainoo and Jude Bellingham of England look on during the warm up prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia at Arena AufSchalke on June 30, 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
England have struggled to get all of their promising midfielders into the same team(Image: Getty Images)
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Solve this - and you unlock England’s potential. How do you get Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka and Co all into the same line-up behind Harry Kane? Answer: you can’t.
So, Tuchel’s challenge is to be ruthless, drop egos, big-names and find a balanced team which still accommodates the likes of Declan Rice and Harry Kane, too.
2) Left back
All those years ago, Sven Goran Eriksson trawled the Premier League for a left back… and gave Charlton’s Chris Powell a call-up out of nowhere.
Maybe Tuchel will have to dig deep to do the same because, at the moment, England’s left back issue is a glaring problem.
3) Ageing defence
DUBLIN, IRELAND - SEPTEMBER 07: Harry Maguire of England speaks to team mate John Stones during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League B Group B2 match between Republic of Ireland and England at Aviva Stadium on September 07, 2024 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
The Three Lions' two leading centre-backs in Harry Maguire and John Stones are both over 30(Image: Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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You have to be realistic here. England’s golden period has been underpinned by a strong defence as well as quality in attack. But now they have John Stones, Kyle Walker and Harry Maguire all over 30.
England’s hopes at the World Cup could be undermined by an ageing defence in decline - and Tuchel must find solutions. A call to Ben White will surely fall on deaf ears. The Arsenal defender does not seem very keen. But others must be given a chance.
4) Take the team round the country
There is a perfect chance in September when the World Cup qualifier with Andorra on September 6 falls slap bang in the middle of a set of Coldplay dates at Wembley.
Villa Park is first in the queue, having missed out on a previous game and would be a perfect chance to feel the positivity from England fans around the country.
5) Backroom staff
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 16: Thomas Tuchel poses for a photo as he is announced as the new England manager alongside Anthony Barry who is announced as the new assistant Manager of England at Wembley Stadium on October 16, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Anthony Barry has already been appointed as Tuchel's assistant(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
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Tuchel has already confirmed Anthony Barry as his assistant. But the ex-Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss has said he wants a small, tight and trusted group of assistants.
Expect him to avoid a bloated group of coaches which can weigh other managers down. Tight and trusted - the team to lead England to the next World Cup.
6) Club relations
This is a funny one. Back in the day, Tuchel used to be as critical as any Premier League manager about call-ups and describe international football as a turn-off.
Now, Tuchel must get the clubs onside to really help build understanding, trust and co-operation when it comes to players reporting up. Gareth Southgate worked it quite well. But by the end of his reign, players had switched off and clubs had become difficult. Tuchel needs to kay down the law.