Prior to Manchester United's defeat on Monday night, everything looked rather rosy for Michael Carrick.
Indeed, they had lost just once under the interim manager's stewardship but all of a sudden, a huge wave of pressure has fallen on the former midfielder.
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As it happens, the Red Devils have now only won one of their last four matches in the Premier League. At one stage, it looked as though United were in the driving seat to secure a Champions League berth.
That, however, it looking more challenging by the week. It's led to the first real questions about Carrick's future this week. That has not been helped by breaking developments surrounding Andoni Iraola either.
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Earlier this week, news broke from the Bournemouth camp that Iraola would be leaving the Cherries behind at the end of the season.
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While it is far from unexpected considering his contract expires this summer, it is an almighty blow for the South Coast side who has come on leaps and bounds under the Spaniard.
So, where could he end up? Well, reports suggests he is keen on both the Manchester United and Liverpool jobs, but it feels inevitable that the Basque-born tactician heads to Athletic Club. It would be a romantic appointment if ever you saw one.
iraola record
As a result, alternatives will be required and there is a host of them on the market. That said, Julian Nagelsmann's name just keeps on coming up.
Reports a few days ago suggested that the United hierarchy were set to hold talks over appointing the German as they ramp up their hunt for a permanent successor to Ruben Amorim.
According to GIVEMESPORT, United are beginning to reach out to potential managers ahead of making their decision. While Carrick is still in the frame and among the favourites to get the job, Nagelsmann is also stated to be a leading candidate for the gig at Old Trafford.
Nagelsmann's Bayern Munich record
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The 38-year-old is due to lead Germany out at the 2026 World Cup but could be available once the tournament is concluded. That does, however, have its drawbacks. He'd miss a decent portion of pre-season and also miss out on key recruitment meetings.
Why Nagelsmann would be better than Iraola
Iraola would be a seriously good appointment for any side in Europe. His team showcased just how good they are when they swatted aside Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium last Saturday.
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It was only the second time the Gunners had lost at home in the Premier League all season and it came from a perfectly implemented press and exciting forward-thinking football.
At the age of just 43, he's one of the finest young minds in the game but Nagelsmann, aged even younger, is even better in that regard.
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Celebrated as "the best young coach in Europe" by reporter Josh Bunting, it's hard to dispute that claim. From humble beginnings at Hoffenheim, where he finished fourth and third in consecutive seasons, to the Bayern Munich job where he won the Bundesliga title, the German manager has enjoyed success wherever he has gone.
It would not be a surprise to see him steer Germany far in this summer's World Cup and while his stock would be unlikely to fall should Die Mannschaft suffer an early exit, it would present United with an easier route to securing his services.
If they were able to do so, then it surely represents the best possible appointment on the market.
During his time as Hoffenheim's assistant, he says he was nicknamed "Mini- Mourinho " by goalkeeper Tim Wiese, alluding to their similar meticulousness, but there are more similarities than just an ideology.
Coincidentally, both Mourinho and Nagelsmann failed to achieve any success in their playing days. At a similar age, they began coaching too. At just 27, the great Portuguese began his first coaching role before going on to become the manager of Benfica ten years later.
Jose Mourinho record at Manchester United (timeless)
Winning the Champions League with Porto at the age of 41, the German has achieved similarly remarkable feats at a young age. He was given the Hoffenheim job aged 28, became the youngest manager in Champions League history to win a game (31) and won Germany's top division aged 33.
If ever there was a new 'Special One', then Nagelsmann is certainly it. Yet, what style of football could he bring to Manchester? Well, it would probably be easier on the eye than Mourinho's.
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The young coach has cited the likes of Pep Guardiola, Ralf Rangnick, and Jurgen Klopp as some of his main inspirations, while he also worked as an opposition scout during Thomas Tuchel's tenure as coach of the Augsburg reserves. As a result, there is an element to all four in his own style. He employs an energetic high press and a possession-oriented play style.
Like Guardiola, he's also at the centre of innovation. He famously requested a giant screen to be erected at the Hoffenheim training ground and used to correct player positioning, removing the need for long explainer breaks between drills.
Cut from a similar cloth as some of the finest minds to grace the managerial world, this could be the appointment that takes United back to the glory days.
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