Following the news of Manchester United sacking head coach, Ruben Amorim, a number of potential replacements are already being linked with the role.
The question is – who, if anyone, can crack the latest ‘impossible job’?
After Amorim was let go by the board on Monday, 5 January, a flurry of names quickly began floating around online as to who could step in as a replacement.
The club have also made it clear that they don’t plan for interim Darren Fletcher to be in post for too long, nor for him to be the caretaker until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, with a full-time appointment expected in the summer.
Manchester United aren't planning to hire a permanent manager until the summer 👀 pic.twitter.com/srfc1zRmND
But once again, there appears to be no tougher task in world football (perhaps other than England gaffer) at present than getting the Red Devils back on track, so who do football fans, pundits, bookies and more think has the CV and/or the belief to take it on next? Well, here are a few suggestions…
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Head coaches who could become the next Man United manager
Enzo Maresca
The first on the list and seemingly everyone’s lips, at first glance, appears to be the former Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, who quit the club in rather spectacular fashion earlier this month.
Maresca, 45, won the 2025 Club World Cup and last season’s UEFA Conference League title during his time at Stamford Bridge – not to mention the Championship with Leicester – but recently resigned following a rift between him and the board – not unlike the man he could potentially succeed.
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He was a big hit with the Foxes…but his time at Chelsea ended very sour to say the least.Credit: Timfilbert/Oscar0123 (via Wikimedia Commons)
However, the manner of the Italian tactician’s exit from his last club has raised several red flags, and he is said to have held talks with both Manchester City and Juventus to become their next boss when the time comes. It seems that merely convenient timing could be behind much of the Maresca-Man United talk.
Xavi
Xavier Hernández, to give him his full name, is one of the other big names to be connected with the club over the past year or two, especially as he has also won a couple bits of silverware since retiring and moving into management.
The Barcelona and Spain legend lifted the La Liga trophy and the Spanish Super Cup in 2023, helping them get back to winning ways after a tricky albeit relatively brief blip in their long period of supremacy.
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Also 45, Xavi wanted to step down from the role, but was eventually convinced to stay, only for him to be ultimately let go by Barca back in May 2024. He’s also one of the few candidates who not only boasts some proven pedigree but is currently a free agent. Could 2026 be the year they actually bring him in?
Third on the list of supposed favourites is Crystal Palace manager, Oliver Glasner, who has impressed at Selhurst Park and also famously shares the most similar kind of system.
At 51 years old, he is the most senior of the apparent frontrunners currently being tipped for the top job at Old Trafford, and has won things of late: the 2022 Europa League, Palace’s first major trophy EVER after beating Man City in the FA Cup, as well as besting Liverpool in last year’s Community Shield.
Though the Austrian head coach has been no way near as tied to one formation as Amorim appeared to be, the principles of play seemed to be more like what the now ex-United boss envisioned as his proper ‘3-4-3’, meaning he could be a good fit for the squad now in place.
On the other hand, is this the kind of setup INEOS want to try and stick with after struggling to make things click thus far?
Some other individuals being suggested include Roberto De Zerbi, who was reportedly touted by Man United in the past during his tenure at Brighton, as well as Thomas Tuchel.
However, both are still at the relative start of their own sporting projects with Marseille and the Three Lions, respectively.
Rumours have also been rumbling around two other very FA-esque picks, such as Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe and, rather fittingly, the former national team leader, Gareth Southgate.
It’s far from the first time that the latter has been hinted at, but it is worth noting that he has currently stepped back from coaching for the foreseeable.
We’re sure a few others will crop up in the coming weeks and months, but who would you like to see take on the role of Manchester United manager next, Reds?
Pep Guardiola delivers important reminder about multiculturalism after Jim Ratcliffe controversy
Danny Jones
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered an important message about the power of multiculturalism in his most recent press conference.
Guardiola’s comments come after the high-profile controversy surrounding his rival club across the city, Man United, whose co-owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, saw some of his recent remarks fall under major scrutiny.
In case you somehow missed it, the Failsworth-born British billionaire was heavily criticised after claiming he believes the UK has been “colonised by immigrants”.
Fast forward a couple of days, and while the club and the fan base are still dealing with the fallout of the story, Pep acknowledged the debate by reminding people that “embracing other cultures” makes for a “better society”.
Well put, Pep – in fact, we couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Although he didn’t reference the 74-year-old directly after being probed on the subject by journalists, the Man City boss reiterated that his time spent living and working across the world has only broadened his mind and enriched his life.
That goes for both his professional and personal spheres, by the way, as the Catalan coach has often spoken of his love for English culture and the Manc people, specifically.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup game against local side Salford City, Pep described the attitudes towards immigrants around the world as a “big problem” despite most people simply leaving their country in search of “a better life”.
He also drew attention to the fact that he, like so many others in football – a sporting industry loved the world round by people from all walks of life and that the likes of Ratcliffe directly benefit from – is an immigrant working and contributing to not just the game but the British economy by being here.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have since shared a public statement on their club website and across social media, reiterating to fans and supporters the world over that they are an “inclusive club”.
‘We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.’
The INEOS chairman, CEO and minority stakeholder in Manchester United Football Club, has since apologised (at least in part) for his “choice of language” following the divisive interview with Sky News.
In a world where plenty of people are quick to pessimism, negativity and turn to division almost by default, Pep’s message is one echoed by so many and is one that we should all keep in mind.
And for anyone who needs a more light-hearted bit of content on their timeline this week, here’s what else Pep said in his pre-match presser…
Pep Guardiola responding to a really intelligent question from a reporter:
‘Do you want to be my assistant coach, fucking hell, you are brilliant…’
Featured Images — Hayters TV (screenshot via YouTube)
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Man United release statement after controversy around Jim Ratcliffe comments on immigration
Danny Jones
Manchester United Football Club have issued an official statement following the controversial comments made by co-owner Jim Ratcliffe surrounding immigration earlier this week.
This comes after Ratcliffe himself ultimately apologised for his “choice of language” in an interview with Sky News reporter Ed Conway.
His remarks, now widely publicised and having already sparked plenty of backlash and debate, have been criticised for being not only politically charged but also divisive, inflammatory and ‘inaccurate’.
Now, Man United – the global footballing brand with one of, if not the largest worldwide fan base that he has a minority stakeholding in – has shared a message online, reiterating that the organisation “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.”
Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club.
We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.
The statement reads: “Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home.
“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do.
“We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”
Some believe more should still have been said and earlier, especially given that the press release doesn’t reference Ratcliffe directly, but they have finally broken their silence on the matter nearly 24 hours after the fact.
As for those who haven’t dug into exactly what the 74-year-old businessman and Monaco resident said in the sit-down with Sky, you can find out more here:
As for United, their media team goes on to write: “Over the course of this season, we have participated in events and initiatives at our men’s and women’s games marking mental health, LGBTQ+ inclusion, No Room for Racism, violence against women and girls and homophobic chanting.
“We have also celebrated our supporters’ clubs’ events, including our Disabled Supporters’ Association’s Christmas Party and our Jewish Supporters’ Club’s Chanukah event.
Concluding with one final message of commitment, they add: “In the weeks and months ahead, we will be supporting further initiatives in these areas.
This update clearly comes in response not only to the calls from supporters and people around the world to reply (the news breaking late yesterday afternoon), but in the wake of the British billionaire’s apology – though many still feel it falls short of an adequate one.
As for the several notable figures to have taken issue with Ratcliffe’s remarks, the Mayor for Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, was one of the most outspoken in his public reaction.
Despite having met and spoken with the INEOS boss on a number of ocassions as part of the Old Trafford Regeneration ‘Taskforce’, which includes plans to develop the football team’s home stadium, Burnham didn’t hold back in levelling his criticism at Ratcliffe and the wider ownership group.
Danny Jones -
5th January 2026 
