Manchester United are being linked with Antonio Conte as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick after their underwhelming start to the Premier League season
Antonio Conte
Antonio Conte remains out of work after leaving Napoli this summer(Image: Getty Images)
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Juventus and AC Milan could reportedly compete with Manchester United for Antonio Conte if they decide to target the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick.
United are not expected to make any changes during this three-week international break, but their head coach is undoubtedly under pressure. However, Carrick is not the only Premier League boss being scrutinised, with Alvaro Arbeloa and Roberto De Zerbi just two other examples.
That scrutiny extends across Europe too. Juventus and Milan in Italy also made slow starts to their seasons, with Luciano Spalletti and Ruben Amorim under the spotlight.
Both clubs are already interested in hiring Conte, according to multiple Italian sports newspapers. United are also linked by the same outlets.
He is already said to have turned down Fenerbahce, whose head coach Ismail Kartal resigned earlier this month before being convinced to continue. Conte also apparently rejected a return to coaching Italy this summer after leaving Napoli, and the national team have since reappointed Roberto Mancini.
Juventus and Milan now appear the most viable options, although both clubs won their final match before the international break. However, the situation could change again before the next hiatus in November.
Spurs appointed Conte in November 2021 after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo, so he has a previous record for taking jobs mid-season. Judging by the relentless reporting in Italy, it appears the coach is keen to return this autumn rather than take time away.
Conte has been described as waiting by the phone for offers. Corriere dello Sport claim he would consider one from United if it were forthcoming.
However, there are no signs of the club dispensing with Carrick, let alone contacting replacements. Another out-of-work candidate, who has previously been linked with United, is Eddie Howe, after leaving Newcastle United.
Spurs appointed Conte in November 2021 after sacking Nuno Espirito Santo, so he has a previous record of taking jobs mid-season. Judging by the relentless reporting in Italy, the coach appears keen to return this autumn rather than take time away.
Conte has been described as waiting by the phone for offers. Corriere dello Sport claims he would consider an offer from United if it were forthcoming.
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However, there are no signs of the club dispensing with Carrick, let alone contacting replacements. Another out-of-work candidate previously linked with United is Eddie Howe, after leaving Newcastle United.
He was asked about the job a year ago during the final few months of Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford. Howe, inevitably, distanced himself at the time.
Roy Keane, however, endorsed his candidacy, saying on Sky Sports: "I'd go with Eddie Howe. I like him, I like what he's done.
"He's managed a lot of games. When his teams are at it, they'll play good football. He has his critics, but I like what he's done at Newcastle. He's managed seven or 800 games. He's still a young man. I love his calmness. Maybe Man Utd need a little bit of that."