Michael Carrick is edging nearer to a Manchester United exit and the membership may flip to a pool of skilled free-agent managers to switch him
It now appears inevitable that Michael Carrick will imminently be relieved of his duties at Manchester United. So, who’re some large free-agent coaches who may step in to switch him?
After guiding United to 3rd in final 12 months’s Premier League, Carrick was handed the reins completely in the summertime. However solely £153million was thrown his method transfer-wise and this was nearly solely spent on midfielders.
To start out the present season, United have been dismal and after a 4-1 thrashing by Como within the Champions League, they hosted Bournemouth on Sunday, needing to show up. They didn’t. Carrick’s facet have been dominated from the phrase go and fell to a 3-0 defeat, leaving them close to the foot of the desk. Chants of “sacked within the morning” rang out from the Cherries’ away finish.
Though the followers inside Previous Trafford applauded Carrick down the tunnel, the consensus appears to be amongst pundits and supporters alike that we have seen the final of the 45-year-old within the United dugout. So what subsequent?
Effectively, an interim like Darren Fletcher might be shuffled out as soon as extra if Carrick does get the boot after which the membership may flip their consideration to one in every of many top-class free-agent managers. Right here at Mirror Soccer, we have singled out seven potential Carrick supplanters who’re presently unemployed.
Eddie Howe
Ex-Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has emerged as a frontrunner for the function. He stepped down as Magpies supervisor in July after almost 5 years on the helm and is presently on a break from teaching.
Throughout his time at St James’ Park, Howe guided Newcastle to the Champions League and lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025. His earlier spell with Bournemouth was equally historic, as he gained the Championship with them in 2015, incomes promotion to the Premier League.
Howe is the bookies’ favorite to take over(Picture: Getty)
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Antonio Conte
Former Chelsea and Spurs supervisor Antonio Conte has truly addressed the potential for taking up at United. He most just lately managed Napoli and is a five-time Serie A-winning coach, however left Naples in June after successful the 2024/25 title.
His stint at Stamford Bridge additionally noticed him raise the Premier League and FA Cup. In a prolonged assertion launched earlier this month, the Italian claimed he’s open to future initiatives however is just not in any negotiations with United or another membership.
Conte has touched on the potential for becoming a member of United(Picture: Getty)
Julian Nagelsmann
Julian Nagelsmann stepped down from his function as Germany supervisor after their disappointing World Cup 2026 marketing campaign and he stays unattached.
He beforehand managed Hoffenheim, the place he grew to become the youngest supervisor in Bundesliga historical past, earlier than taking up at RB Leipzig, whom he helped attain the Champions League semi-finals. He then endured a stint at Bayern Munich and has beforehand been of curiosity to prime English golf equipment.
Nagelsmann disenchanted on the World Cup(Picture: Getty)
Kieran McKenna
Former United coach Kieran McKenna is conversant in what it takes to work on the membership – although that has seemingly meant little or no for Carrick. McKenna managed United’s Below-18s and labored beneath Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the primary group.
He then left to handle Ipswich City, the place he achieved back-to-back promotions to the Premier League. He has been on a deliberate sabbatical since leaving the Tractor Boys in June, however he’s a lifelong United fan. Nevertheless, it has been claimed {that a} hefty compensation price would stand in the way in which of any membership wanting to rent him.
McKenna labored beneath Solskjaer(Picture: Getty)
Gareth Southgate
We enter cloud cuckoo land barely with these solutions, however Gareth Southgate’s identify has been linked with United since he stepped down as England boss in July 2024. With Southgate on the helm, the Three Lions made a World Cup semi-final and consecutive Euros finals.
Southgate’s solely stint in membership administration with Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009 was forgettable. Nonetheless, he has beforehand said that he would rethink returning to a membership if the mission was the best match.
Southgate is a wildcard possibility(Picture: Getty)
Roberto Martinez
One other former worldwide coach with out a job, Roberto Martinez, has at all times been extremely considered. The Spaniard loved spells with Swansea Metropolis, Wigan – the place he gained the FA Cup – and Everton earlier than guiding Belgium to a third-place end on the 2018 World Cup.
His newest job got here with Portugal, the place he gained the Nations League. His bond with stars like Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot may put him on the record, although he stays an unlikely possibility.
Martinez is with out a membership(Picture: Getty)
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Lastly, maybe United chew the bullet and provides membership legend Solskjaer one other strive. Many followers grew keen on the Norwegian throughout his stint as boss from 2018 to 2021 and his identify got here up after Ruben Amorim’s exit.
The highest brass might not wish to admit they made a mistake sacking him 5 years in the past by bringing him again, however he’s in the marketplace after being dismissed by Besiktas in August 2025.
