Manchester United Eyes Pochettino and Howe as Carrick Era Nears End Amidst Club Turmoil

Manchester United appears poised to re-enter the search for a new manager as Michael Carrick's tenure is reportedly set for a swift conclusion. The club finds itself in a precarious position, currently occupying a Premier League relegation spot after securing only one victory in their last 10 matches, marking their worst domestic season start in four decades. This downturn has fueled widespread supporter discontent directed at American owners, the Glazer family, and criticism aimed at minority shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox.

This situation mirrors a pattern of the last three seasons where United has backed a manager, provided transfer funds, only to dismiss them mid-campaign due to declining results. Despite the internal and external chaos, the Manchester United managerial role remains a highly coveted position in global football, attracting significant interest from potential candidates eager to take on the challenge. The article explores some of the leading contenders for the role.

Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, is reportedly interested in the position. He is currently managing the United States, whom he guided to the last-16 of the World Cup on home soil last summer, where they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. According to The Athletic, acquiring Pochettino would necessitate a $10 million buyout from his US contract, which extends through to the 2030 World Cup. His tenure at Spurs saw him narrowly miss out on trophies, losing both League Cup and Champions League finals. At Paris Saint-Germain, he secured a Ligue 1 and French Cup double in 2021/22 but was dismissed after failing to achieve Champions League success with a star-studded squad. His subsequent season at Chelsea in 2023 also ended in a League Cup final loss and lasted only one year due to disagreements with club management. His experiences at PSG and Chelsea have equipped him to handle the volatile environment at Old Trafford.

Eddie Howe is currently unattached after departing Newcastle United this summer, concluding a nearly five-year stint. During his successful period on Tyneside, backed by Newcastle's Saudi Arabian owners, he transformed the team from relegation contenders into top-four aspirants, implementing a high-intensity, physical style of play. Under his leadership, Newcastle reached the Champions League twice and secured their first domestic trophy in 70 years by defeating Liverpool in the League Cup final. His final season, however, saw Newcastle finish 12th, hampered by the loss of top scorer Alexander Isak to Liverpool. Prior to Newcastle, Howe managed Bournemouth across two spells, guiding them from the fourth tier to the Premier League and maintaining their top-flight status for five consecutive seasons.

Antonio Conte, a proven winner, has managed clubs including Juventus, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Napoli, where he won the Serie A title before departing in May. His coaching career includes success at Juventus, where he also played, leading them to three consecutive Serie A titles. He also managed the Italian national team before winning the Premier League and FA Cup with Chelsea, and another Scudetto with Inter Milan. A return to England with Tottenham Hotspur saw him guide the club back into the Champions League. Conte, 57, is known for his winning mentality and is reportedly interested in the United job, but his combustible nature and willingness to publicly voice grievances with management are also notable.

Julian Nagelsmann, currently unattached, stepped down as Germany manager following their early World Cup exit. He previously became the youngest Bundesliga manager at 28 with Hoffenheim, leading them from relegation candidates to Champions League qualification. He then managed RB Leipzig, achieving third and second-place finishes in the Bundesliga and reaching the Champions League semi-finals. Bayern Munich reportedly paid €25 million to secure his services. His two seasons at Bayern resulted in a Bundesliga title and two German Super Cups, though he also experienced player conflicts, including with Manuel Neuer. Nagelsmann, 39, previously worked with Manchester United's head of recruitment, Christopher Vivell, at RB Leipzig, positioning him as a strong contender.