30 Mar 2026 13:41:31
De Zerbi in talks with Tottenham. Another Manager seemingly off the list. So for me it’s between Carrick and Naglesmann now. To be honest, I’d be happy with either. I think the comparisons of Carrick with Solskjaer are unfair. IMO Carrick has a team now of better characters. No Rashford, Pogba, Lingard, Martial etc. This I think is a real important difference. The Manchester United structure is also better now, no Woodward and co. Football-minded people like Vivell. So I would be confident with Carrick going forward especially with the coaching set-up, Holland and Woodgate. I think Carrick ticks most boxes we should want. Unfortunately the one box he doesn’t tick is the one managers get judged on the most and that’s cups won BUT that has to start somewhere for a manager.
No reason it can’t be at United for Carrick IMO.
Obviously Naglesmann has probably a better CV and he has a previous, successful working relationship with Vivell, who seems to be taking on a bigger role now so this is a positive.
Regardless of who they opt for, and it could also be someone else, I do wonder if a decision sooner rather than later is needed to help with transfers. Players will want to know who’s going to be manager, teams will want to get transfers done early in some cases before the World Cup or we’ll want players back as soon as possible after World Cup so want players sorted out.
30 Mar 2026 15:24:56
We obviously don't want de Zerbi, or they would make it known they want to talk to him.
imo he would be out of his mind to take Spurs job before end of season.
30 Mar 2026 15:59:19
Yeah, I agree, Ken. Brave man takes the Spurs job now, and I personally wouldn't want De Zerbi at United. I think he's a good coach. I just feel he's a bit volatile for us at this current moment.
30 Mar 2026 16:39:18
Nagelsmann, really? He was abysmal at Bayern.
30 Mar 2026 16:44:01
Agree, Carrick and Nagelsmann seem among the top contenders, but we've eliminated other managers (Poch, Tuchel) as they will be involved with the World Cup, which will seriously hinder a good pre-season and transfer window.
Whatever transpires, I feel a better coaching team will be needed, especially re: Holland.
We've stopped leaking goals, but the style of play has been drab. Is this what we want to watch? No coincidence, England and United were tough watches, despite admittedly an upturn in results.
30 Mar 2026 17:35:01
I think he is very emotional and excitable, Ports.
But I do like his style of play, and think he would have us playing a much better brand of football with who we have.
But most of our fans dont have the appetite for the journey change would demand.
I've a feeling they will stick with Carrick. Its the safe option, and he has done well in terms of results. Very well in fact. If he gets new players he could do even better.
Id say he is as safe a bet as Glasner or Iraola or Poch etc.
If it doesn't work out, id imagine come next Oct Nov there will be better candidates available than there is now, so he must continue to do well.
I dont know about Enrique. If he fancies a new challenge he will have options.
Simione im a big fan of, but he isn't going anywhere.
Conte could leave Napoli, but not sure he is the man either.
30 Mar 2026 19:08:02
I think some are falling into the same trap as we did with Ole. Carrick is the comfy slippers, so people find something negative about every other candidate. Recently, the team have been sluggish, lacking energy going forward. To me, we are set up a bit like Southgate would be.
We need a world class manager. City will likely replace Pep well, whilst some want us to have the ex Boro manager.
We cannot make the same mistake again. Simeone would be my choice. Would he leave? Does he want the challenge or stay in a comfy place? We should already know.
The club now have notable emotional pressure from some fans and pundits to keep Carrick. Let's see if they cave in or make the tougher decision to get the world class manager the club needs. It needs a really strong character and personality.
30 Mar 2026 22:56:00
I think once UCL is confirmed for next year, that is when they will make their play, whether that is Carrick or someone else. The number one goal for the club is UCL, irrespective of manager, players, upper management.
Once that is achieved, an announcement of the direction clears the path for early transfers prior to the WC commencing.
That's what I would do if I was running the show, at least.
30 Mar 2026 23:16:13
I love Simeone, but I'm not convinced he would be the right option. His English is pretty poor, and Atletico play some dreadful football at times. His players work unbelievably hard for him though, and I absolutely love his mentality. He is also the most highly paid manager in world football at the moment, apparently earning about £25 million per year. If we got Simeone, and it proved to be a mistake, it would be a seriously expensive one.
Luis Enrique would be my first choice without question. I would've been pretty happy with Tuchel but that is obviously no longer an option. Other than Enrique I think I would only really consider Pochettino or Nagelsmann. Obviously there are various arguments against both Poch or Nagelsmann, but they both have experience at massive clubs, both typically play exciting football, and have proven they are able to develop young players and bring them into the first team.
Poch hasn't really won anything yet, at least not in English football, but reaching a Champions League final with Spurs was a massive achievement, and his experience in the Premier League is an important factor for me.