Five managers ‘ruled out’ of Man Utd job includes club icon as criteria shared
January 7, 2026 / /
Need to know
Manchester United are currently on the lookout for a new head coach in the wake of sacking Ruben Amorim on Monday morning – with a number of high-profile contenders in the running to take up tenure at Old Trafford
Everything you need to know about Manchester United’s next manager as five head coaches are ‘ruled out’ while new criteria is shared…
- Ruben Amorim sacked: Manchester United parted ways with Ruben Amorim on Monday, explaining that the decision was made to ensure the club has the “best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish.” Read the full story here.
- Darren Fletcher named in the interim: As a result, Fletcher has been named as the man to oversee the first-team while United scour the market for a suitable successor. The Scot will take charge of the Red Devils’ clash with Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday.
- Eddie Howe rules himself out: The Newcastle United boss is content at St James’ Park, explaining during a pre-match press conference earlier this week: “Nothing has changed. I am 100% here.” Read the full story on Chronicle Live.
- Ruud van Nistelrooy out of contention: The club legend is not in contention to take up an interim role with United, as per reports. That’s despite Van Nistelrooy serving as a caretaker manager at Old Trafford following Erik ten Hag’s dismissal in October 2024. Read the full story here.
- New criteria emerges: The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims that United are looking for a manager with past Premier League experience going forward, taking a new direction after neither Amorim nor Ten Hag had it on their resume upon arriving in the north west. He said: “That Premier League experience is crucial, Amorim didn’t have it, Ten Hag didn’t have it, but the rumblings coming out of United in the last 24 hours is that Premier League experience is going to be very important to them.”
- Three more out of the picture as a result: Luis Enrique, Fletcher and Xavi will be ruled out of the running should the claims of necessary experience ring true, considering none of them have coached in the Premier League.
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick talks: Reports suggest that United will hold talks with Solskjaer and Carrick in the coming days with regards to an interim role until the end of the season. Both have experience in managing the team in the past.
- The unlikely lads: Despite Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino and Kieran McKenna being linked with the job, it is unlikely that they will leave their current commitments. Tuchel and Pochettino are currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup with England and the USA, respectively, while McKenna is hopeful of achieving promotion with Ipswich in the Championship, sitting third in the standings at present.
- Glasner prospect: Glasner is under contract with Crystal Palace until the summer, and it is likely that he will see his deal through. The Austrian will also hold talks at Selhurst Park in the coming weeks about his future.
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