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?
Rodri has been fined for his comments about referees following Man City vs Spurs game
Danny Jones
Manchester City star Rodri has been fined a large sum for his comments about recent refereeing following the Blues’ game against Tottenham Hotspur last month.
The Man City midfielder and Spanish international has avoided a match ban, as many supporters first feared, but will still pay £80k as punishment for the remarks.
While perhaps not a huge figure for a Premier League footballer, he still admitted to questioning the officiating on the day, but did submit evidence to the board in arguing his case.
The Euro 2024 winner had already been charged by the FA following the comments a fortnight after the frustrating home draw, but was given until 18 February to respond/appeal.
BREAKING: Rodri has been fined £80,000 and warned about his future conduct over comments made following Man City's draw with Tottenham Hotspur last month. pic.twitter.com/wdP4slCNef
At the time, little detail was revealed about what exactly was said to the ref, with Rodri accusing Rob Jones of not being neutral and acting in an ‘improper manner’, but it was his comments in the post-match zone that shone an extra spotlight on the situation.
Speaking to the media after the game, the 29-year-old said: “I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral. It’s not fair because we work so hard.
“When everything is finished, you are frustrated. It’s one game and another game and another game – and it’s not possible. Honestly, I never speak about referees; I respect their job massively, but they have to pay attention to these things.”
Rodri was referring to the equaliser by Dominic Solanke, who scored his brace in the 70th-minute to bring his team level, but City and many other football fans believed kicked through defender Marc Guehi’s leg to do so.
As a result, instead of a foul being given, the goal stood, the game ended 2-2, and Pep Guardiola’s side went on to drop crucial points in this year’s title race.
In case you missed any of it, you can see the challenge/controversial goal in question HERE, and listen to Rodri’s response in the immediate aftermath down below.
As you can see, he went on to insist that the incident was “so clear”, as well as intimating that this wasn’t the first time.
He and others around the club believe he and his teammates had been on the receiving end of some incorrect decisions for “two, three games in a row”, adding, “I don’t know why.”
What do you make of the choice to fine Rodri for his comments about referees, or do you think the central Man City cog should have even been punished?
Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)
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Medlock Square: Manchester’s new £300 million entertainment destination on the Etihad Campus
Danny Jones
Manchester’s newest entertainment destination, located over at the ever-growing Etihad Campus, has finally been given a name ahead of its launch later this year.
Alongside the recently announced and Radisson-run hotel, Medlock Square will see the Manchester City-partnered mini leisure district aim to become a new must-visit part of the city.
Hoping to draw in crowds beyond just matchdays and those heading to concerts across the way, approximately £300 million is being pumped into the project.
With Co-op Live having already brought huge revenues into Greater Manchester, it isn’t just set to be a pricey development, but one that will look to serve as yet another money spinner for the wider City Football Group (CFG) and the City Region.
Credit: CFG (supplied)
Unveiling the first CGIs of the square this week, this new area will essentially see attractions and activities spill out of the Etihad Stadium, Co-op Live and the soon-to-open Medlock hotel and on to the campus as a whole.
With other parts of Sportcity already revolving around the footballing epicentre, such as the Manchester Regional Arena and National Squash Centre, this will not only see even more sporting events and supporters brought to the roughly 80-acre plot, but also fans of various other forms of entertainment.
For instance, within the plans that already include the food and drink offerings you would expect – with Radisson Blu backing more of the relaxation and indulgent side of things – other activities include everything from “an adrenaline-fuelled sky walk experience”, as well as zip-wire and abseiling.
We already knew about some of these from the details in Man City’s stadium expansion plans (including the likes of The Medlock and rooftop bar), and glimpses of the impending hotel opening gave us a better idea of the overall look, but there looks to be plenty more in the pipeline.
You can see a trailer for what they have in mind for Medlock Square down below.
Welcome to Medlock Square. Manchester’s newest entertainment destination. A place where mouthwatering cuisine and world class entertainment, experiences and events converge. Coming soon! pic.twitter.com/4bC7NQbMHT
As per an official press release by the fledgling team, more information on further business and employment opportunities has also now been confirmed, centring around the new ‘One Medlock Square’ structure that will be built on the campus.
“Designed to accommodate up to 300 employees, the state-of-the-art workspace will offer high-quality, modern office facilities alongside access to shared event spaces and wellness amenities, uniquely positioned within Manchester’s most exciting new destination”, the statement reads.
There’s certainly some ambitious stuff in the works, put it that way.
And, of course, these will also slot into a renovated club shop turned meagstore, an all-new Man City museum, the Co-op arena, live music and other open-air events, just to name a few. A specific opening date is yet to be scheduled, but you can guarantee it’ll be a big deal when it does launch.
Danny Jones -
5th January 2026 
