Football Insider exclusive as Julian Nagelsmann looks towards a circular inset featuring Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Wed 14 January 2026 7:00, UK
Julian Nagelsmann is interested in taking the Manchester United job if he decides to return to club management this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The 38-year-old’s full focus is on leading Germany in the upcoming World Cup at the moment, but he views the manager’s role at Old Trafford as an attractive proposition for the future.
Football Insider revealed on Sunday that Manchester United’s recruitment chief Christopher Vivell is pushing for Nagelsmann to be considered for the job on a permanent basis, and there are several candidates to potentially take on the role.
The United hierarchy are currently doing their “due diligence” on a number of those options, and are expected to take their time in order to ensure that they find the right man.
Michael Carrick is set to take charge on an interim basis until the end of the season, and Nagelsmann will be firmly in the frame over the summer.
Manchester United-linked manager Michael Carrick applauds after a game.
Credit: Imago
Julian Nagelsmann’s contract situation to provide issue for Man United
Football Insider revealed in the immediate aftermath of Ruben Amorim’s sacking that Nagelsmann and Enzo Maresca were the early front-runners to take over at United.
Both bosses have strong admirers within the hierarchy of the Premier League giants, with Vivell keen to reunite with Nagelsmann after previously working with him at RB Leipzig.
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The German has long since been one of European football’s most in-demand young coaches, and United may have a clear obstacle to overcome if they are to secure his services.
The former Bayern Munich chief is under contract with the German national team until after Euro 2028, meaning it would likely take a significant amount of compensation to remove him from that agreement this summer.
However, that will be heavily dependent on Germany’s performance at the World Cup, as a disappointing tournament in North America could potentially leave both parties keen on the idea of a clean break.
Old Trafford chiefs have Oliver Glasner doubt
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has exclusively told Football Insider that the United hierarchy have doubts over Oliver Glasner amid a torrid run of form for his Crystal Palace team.
Stats Glasner Amorim Ten Hag Solskjaer
Games 72 47 85 127
Wins 27 15 44 59
Draws 24 13 14 32
Losses 21 19 27 36
Win % 37.5% 31.91% 51.76% 46.46%
Glasner’s Premier League record compared to United’s last three permanent bosses, as per Transfermarkt.
The Austrian boss is another man who has been heavily linked with a move to the Red Devils, but his stock has fallen in recent weeks, with the Eagles on a run of nine games without a win in all competitions.
That culminated in an embarrassing FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league Macclesfield on Saturday, and Brown feels that result will have raised serious questions at Old Trafford.
Glasner is another big-name manager who has come under consideration in the aftermath of Amorim’s departure, but his recent exploits appear to have badly hindered his chances of landing the job.