Ex-Tottenham stars are set to take interim charge of Manchester United until the end of the season.
There have already been notable sackings in the Premier League across the festive period, with both Enzo Maresca and Ruben Amorim shockingly leaving their posts at Chelsea and Manchester United, respectively.
In north London, Thomas Frank is a man under immense pressure at Tottenham Hotspur. The Dane’s job is hanging by a thread, and the Lilywhites’ getting dumped from the FA Cup by Aston Villa on Saturday has not helped his cause. Tottenham lost 2-1 to Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round, and despite showing some fight and character in the second half, they were booed off by the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium faithful.
Elsewhere, it was sad to see former Spurs academy product and coach Ryan Mason leave his post at West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies decided to part ways with Mason after a torrid run of results. In contrast, there appear to be two ex-Tottenham stars preparing for a new gig in management.
Jonathan Woodgate was on the scoresheet when Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League final back in 2007/08
Jonathan Woodgate was on the scoresheet when Tottenham beat Chelsea 2-1 in the League final back in 2007/08
Former Tottenham players Jonathan Woodgate and Michael Carrick to take up interim coaching role at Manchester United
Former Tottenham midfielder Michael Carrick is set to be confirmed as Manchester United’s interim boss until the end of the season, replacing the sacked Amorim. And now, according to a report from the Guardian, ex-Spurs star Jonathan Woodgate is set to be a part of Carrick’s backroom staff.
Jonathan Woodgate was a part of the Tottenham side that won the League Cup in the 2007/08 season. It was the only trophy of his career, despite representing several other clubs, including Leeds United, Newcastle United, and Real Madrid.
Former Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate has joined former Spurs midfielder Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
Carrick is back at Old Trafford, taking over as interim boss, Woodgate joins the coaching team.#COYS #THFC pic.twitter.com/4bGzaiNzGc
— Chris Cowlin (@ChrisCowlin) January 13, 2026
After hanging up his boots, the former defender went into coaching and was most recently with Michael Carrick at Middlesbrough. Woodgate departed Middlesbrough back in June 2025 alongside Carrick, and the duo have been out of work since then. The 45-year-old also spent time with Bournemouth as a first-team coach before being appointed as their boss towards the end of the 2020/2021 season.
Carrick is clearly trying to assemble a set of coaching staff he knows, trusts and has worked with before, alongside others who have represented Man United during the great era of Sir Alex Ferguson. Having been sacked by Boro back in June 2025, both Carrick and Woodgate will try to enhance their managerial skills by steadying the ship at Old Trafford.
It is arguably the biggest job in world football, one which will definitely test their management skills, tactical nous, character and personality.