Jamie Carragher has had his say on the next Manchester United head coach after Michael Carrick won his first game in interim charge against Manchester City
Jamie Carragher has told Manchester United which managers they should consider(Image: Sky Sports Premier League)
Jamie Carragher has named the four managers who should be on Manchester United’s radar for their next managerial appointment as he revealed his top pick. Michael Carrick kicked off his temporary stint in charge with a 2-0 victory over Manchester City on Saturday thanks to goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu.
The ex-midfielder is set to leave at end of the season, with the club planning to bring in a permanent head coach. However, the triumph over City has already sparked chatter about Carrick securing the role full-time.
Several managers have been touted as potential successors for the 2026/27 season, with United believed to have already begun the hunt for a permanent replacement for Ruben Amorim. On Sky Sports ‘ Monday Night Football, Carragher scrutinised 25 potential candidates for the hot seat.
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The list features Brazil’s Carlo Ancelotti, England’s Thomas Tuchel, and former Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso. Carragher sifted through, ruling out names such as Gareth Southgate, Andoni Iraola, Oliver Glasner, and Xavi. When the dust settled, only four contenders remained: Julian Nagelsmann, Tuchel, Luis Enrique, and Eddie Howe.
Discussing Howe, who has been backed to come in by Roy Keane, he said: “I’m a huge fan of Eddie Howe. I think the type of football that you see from Newcastle at their best – high energy, pressing and in the future – that’s not just Manchester United, that’s a lot of top clubs and how they want to play.
“The real big thing I like about Eddie Howe is how he handles the press, you’ve got to be able to handle the press as a Man United manager, it’s the club that’s on the back pages more than any other club in this country. Newcastle, we probably don’t think it from the outside, but when you’re inside Newcastle and you live in that city, that is just a constant thing and he handles it brilliantly.
“What he also does that I think would really help Man United, they have a problem right now that no matter who they bring in, player-wise, a lot of them fail and they don’t go on to realise their potential. I think Eddie Howe is a great coach.”
Eddie Howe has been backed to take over at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
When pressed on the Red Devils’ likely course of action, he continued: “If you’re Man United, I think everybody would want Luis Enrique. They would have watched how PSG played last year. We’re talking about a guy who has won the Champions League twice.
“I don’t think they’ll get Luis Enrique. I think there’s a good chance that they end up with Thomas Tuchel” Despite a dream beginning against City, Carragher dismissed Carrick’s credentials. “I am not going to change my mind,” he said.
“I always think this when a Liverpool manager is appointed: Do I believe this guy can win us the league? It doesn’t mean he will do it, but I have to believe he can.
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“I don’t believe Manchester United can win the league with Michael Carrick as manager, or Chelsea can win the league with Liam Rosenior as manager. I am not trying to be disrespectful. I am giving my honest opinion of what I feel and what they have done in the past.
“You have to be really special. Think of the managers who have won the Premier League, 99 per cent of them are special, and I think Michael Carrick lacks that. I might be proven wrong, but that is why I will take Michael Carrick out of that.”
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