Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are emerging as the leading contenders to become the next Manchester United head coach if Michael Carrick loses his job, with work towards identifying his successor understood to be already under way after the club’s poor start to the season.
Manchester United (Credits: BBC Sport)
Eddie Howe Open to Manchester United Job
Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that former Newcastle boss Howe is fully open to joining United if Carrick is dismissed. Howe, 48, has been out of work since leaving Newcastle in the summer, after a five-year spell in which he ended the Magpies’ 56-year wait for a trophy with League Cup glory in 2025 and secured two Champions League qualifications.
The former Bournemouth and Burnley boss is available and would be considered, with sources indicating he is open to returning to management with United specifically after leaving St James’ Park in the close season.
Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte Also on Man Utd Shortlist
Nagelsmann, 39, is also out of work, high on the club’s list of contenders, and available after leaving his role as Germany head coach following the World Cup. The German earned his reputation as a young coach at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before landing the Bayern Munich job in 2021, where he won the Bundesliga title in 2022 before being sacked the following season amid fluctuating form.
Antonio Conte, who is interested in the job, is another out-of-work option. The 57-year-old Italian won the Premier League title in his first season at Chelsea in 2017, added the FA Cup in 2018, and has won Serie A titles with three different clubs — Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli — after leaving Napoli in May.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is also admired at United, but his contract running until 2029 would complicate any move. Should Carrick be dismissed, the 20-time English champions would be appointing their eighth permanent manager or head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson departed in 2013 after winning their most recent title.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
