Michael Carrick remains unbeaten after five matches in charge of Manchester United.placeholder image
Michael Carrick remains unbeaten after five matches in charge of Manchester United. | Getty Images
The search for Manchester United’s next permanent manager continues amid Michael Carrick success
Michael Carrick saw his perfect record as Manchester United head coach end on Tuesday night, though his Red Devils side struck late to secure a 1-1 draw at West Ham United in the Premier League.
Carrick has had an outstanding start to life in the Old Trafford dugout but his long-term future in the role remains anything but certain and will likely remain that way until the end of the season. Carrick is still “not the favourite” to secure the job this summer, reported Sky Sports Football Correspondent Rob Dorsett on Wednesday morning.
As such, other candidates are continuing to be considered – and one became available after a major managerial decision on the continent on Tuesday night.
Roberto De Zerbi departs Marseille by mutual agreement
It was announced on Tuesday night that Marseille have parted ways with head coach Roberto De Zerbi by ‘mutual agreement’ after less than 20 months in the role, with the final straw being a 5-0 defeat at PSG in Ligue 1.
Ben Jacobs reports on X that De Zerbi is ‘keen’ on a Premier League return and is a candidate at Man United. Also mentioned are Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, with the latter having sacked Thomas Frank on Wednesday morning.
Jacobs wrote: “Roberto De Zerbi and Marseille have parted ways, as Fabrice Hawkins called. De Zerbi almost left in January, while sources say a summer departure was always on the cards. Exit now brought forward after Marseille lost 5-0 to PSG. De Zerbi keen on a Premier League return. A candidate for MUFC, and MCFC if Pep leaves. Spurs also tried for De Zerbi prior to Thomas Frank.”
De Zerbi had previously been touted as a candidate for major jobs around the Premier League and Europe, with his availability only likely to increase the frequency of these conversations.
Could De Zerbi become the next Man United head coach?
De Zerbi is likely to be in the running at Old Trafford, with his previous Premier League experience with Brighton & Hove Albion likely to be an attractive factor. He led the Seagulls to sixth place in the top flight in 2022/23 and into Europe for the first time in their history, before departing at the end of the following season and beginning his next chapter at Marseille.
The front-runners to take over at Old Trafford are currently unclear. Carrick’s success over the remainder of the season could prove a key factor, and he might become a prime candidate if he can lead the club to Champions League football. Big-name appointments such as Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti may also be in the United board’s thinking, with both currently in World Cup managerial roles with England and Brazil respectively, while boasting previous Premier League experience.
While known as somewhat of a flammable character who could conceivably fall out with the United hierarchy if things do not go to plan, De Zerbi has top coaching pedigree and plays an exciting brand of football which United fans would be able to get on board with. He may enter more frequent discussions around the Old Trafford managerial role as the remainder of the campaign develops.
Continue Reading