Recently departed Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso’s stance on taking over the vacant Manchester United managerial position has already come to light. The managerial merry-go-round has spun faster than usual during the 2025/26 campaign, and the turn of the new year has seen two of world football’s juggernaut clubs forced into the market for a new head coach already.
Alonso’s exit on his own terms came amid reports of growing weary of a dressing room packed with big egos alongside limited support from those that hired him, while Man United’s hierarchy opted to pay off the remainder of Ruben Amorim’s contract in a bid to stop the rot. The Red Devils had won just three of their previous 11 Premier League matches, with the former Sporting boss showing few signs of progression following a 15th-place finish last season.
Michael Carrick is set to step in on an interim basis until the end of the campaign, as Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS entourage prepare to conduct interviews between now and the close of the season in search of a long-term solution this summer.
Manchester United interim manager Michael Carrick applauds fans Related
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Xabi Alonso's Stance on Becoming Man Utd Boss
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso reacts
After masterminding Bayer Leverkusen’s astonishing invincible Bundesliga-winning campaign a little under 24 months ago, it would come as little surprise if those calling the shots at Old Trafford have already sounded him out about taking on what is often described as football’s most stressful job, with pundit Richard Keys suggesting: "United should move heaven & earth to appoint Alonso," before adding: "And don’t tell me his time at Liverpool rules him out - Busby played for them & City."
It mustn't be forgotten that United explored a move for Alonso in the summer of 2024 before ultimately sticking with Erik ten Hag. However, the approach appeared to be a non-starter, with the Spaniard rejecting the opportunity to take over at Old Trafford, according to the Daily Mail. While no official reason was given at the time for his apparent reluctance to move to Manchester, BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty noted:
"I am sure, when the time comes for Manchester United to look at new managers, they would certainly have someone like Alonso in mind, but I just don't see him at Old Trafford in any capacity. He is too closely aligned to Liverpool and that is a huge hurdle for anyone to get over.
"I can certainly see him ending up at Real Madrid, Bayern Munich (or indeed Liverpool at some point in the future) if he continues his progress. He has strong links with all of those clubs."
He concluded: "If he is currently not even tempted by Liverpool, then there is no way he would consider Manchester United. So no, I never see Alonso at Old Trafford at any point in the future."
Man Utd's Next Long-Term Appointment Remains a Mystery
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Carrick’s only permanent managerial role so far came at Middlesbrough, where he won 16 of his first 23 matches, lifting the Riverside Stadium side clear of the spectre of relegation. However, his second season failed to build on the promise of a push towards the play-offs, and he departed in June 2025, having also previously served as Man United’s caretaker manager in 2021, overseeing three wins from three matches.
Michael Carrick's Managerial Record (All Competitions)
Club
Manchester United (interim)
Middlesbrough
Total
The hope is that he can steady the ship once again. That said, there is also a quiet optimism among sections of the United fanbase that the retired midfielder might go one step further and earn himself the role on a long-term basis, particularly with the club’s current options elsewhere appearing limited.
Oliver Glasner and Andoni Iraola are both progressive coaches with highly intelligent tactical minds who could thrive with greater backing, but they too feel like calculated risks - managers who may once again underestimate the sheer depth of the challenge at Old Trafford. What United’s board cannot afford is another gamble, and the next few months could be make or break for the likes of Jason Wilcox, among others.