Manchester United look close to resolving one managerial dilemma, but another awaits.
After firing Ruben Amorim, Manchester United chose to take on two different managerial conundrums.
The club chose to defer a decision over a permanent replacement for Amorim until the end of the season.
Michael Carrick is set to be appointed on an interim basis until the end of the season, allowing United more time to work on a long-term plan.
No top candidate has yet emerged for the long-term role, allowing various pundits to theorise their own choices.
Marseille's Italian head coach Roberto De Zerbi
Photo by Alex MARTIN / AFP via Getty Images
Would you want Roberto de Zerbi to be Manchester United’s next permanent manager?
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Roberto De Zerbi on the touchline giving instructions.
Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates /Getty Images
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Rio Ferdinand on Roberto de Zerbi
Rio Ferdinand was quizzed about the Manchester United managerial situation on his latest podcast.
Ferdinand said that he wants Manchester United to hire a coach who has strong motivational skills and tactical flexibility.
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“Man United have got to go and get someone, if it’s not going to be Carrick in the summer, it’s got to be someone who can motivate this team and get them playing, get them aggressive and get them confident again.
He pinpoints Marseille boss Roberto de Zerbi as his choice, having been impressed by his spell at Brighton too.
Ferdinand explained: “De Zerbi, whatever formation he wants to play, the guy is a proper coach who gets players working and playing.
“They wanted him before,” he added, regarding United’s potential interest in the Italian.
De Zerbi has a reputation for being unpredictable, but Ferdinand believe this can be a positive for the Red Devils.
He said: “De Zerbi is a coach, I’d bring fire to the party, I wouldn’t bring craziness but I’d bring someone bringing fire and that passion, really really backed up by someone who has shown they can coach the life out of a team, improve players and put down a life of playing football.”
De Zerbi’s Marseille are third in Ligue 1 behind surprise leaders Lens, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Michael Carrick is the new favourite for the Man Utd interim job, are you happy with this?
Manchester United Coach Michael Carrick celebrates at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on December 2, 2021
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Rio Ferdinand on Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel
Ferdinand also added that Thomas Tuchel is one of his preferred choices for the job. Paul Scholes named the England boss as his top candidate.
“Tuchel would be one of my biggest picks as well,” he added.
Asked about an ambitious move for Carlo Ancelotti, he responded: “He’s always managed elite players though… I love him.”
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