The ‘early frontrunner’ revealed in contenders for Man Utd ‘basket case’

Ruben Amorim was sacked as Manchester United manager on Monday after 14 months in charge, sparking speculation over his successor at Old Trafford.

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Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher has been put in temporary charge, with the club reportedly keen to appoint a caretaker manager for the rest of the season.

But United will quickly need to turn its attention to a long-term solution, with former England striker Gary Lineker otherwise labelling the club a “basket case”.

AFP Sport looks at potential appointments as United search for their seventh permanent manager since the departure of Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Oliver Glasner

Oliver Glasner guided Crystal Palace to their first major trophy by lifting the FA Cup last season. The 51-year-old Austrian, whose Palace contract expires at the end of the current campaign, has been linked with several clubs. Glasner, like Amorim, has mostly used a three-man defence with wingbacks at Palace, but last year he told Sky Sports that his favourite formation is 4-4-2. The Telegraph UK reported Glasner is the “early fronrtunner” and that the Manchester United hierarchy “are huge admirers” of his work.

Roberto De Zerbi

He was reportedly approached as a potential replacement for Erik ten Hag in 2024 and De Zerbi has English football experience, having previously served as Brighton’s head coach before taking over French club Marseille. There, he had plenty of success in Ligue 1. But former Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison questioned on Sky Sports if he will be given the freedom to mould the team and roster the way he wants to. “I think he is a very good manager, done well at Brighton,” Morrison said. “But these managers don’t want to be dictated to. Will the owners change and let them manage instead of being called head coach? It’s a big one.”

Enzo Maresca

Enzo Maresca parted ways with Chelsea last week after falling out with the club’s hierarchy. The 45-year-old Italian won the UEFA Conference League and Club World Cup in his first season at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with the Manchester City job should Pep Guardiola quit at the end of the season.

Gareth Southgate

Former England manager Gareth Southgate, 55, is reportedly admired by the Old Trafford hierarchy and has been linked with the United job in the past. But it is unclear whether the former Middlesbrough boss would favour a return to club management after stepping down from England duty following Euro 2024.

Unai Emery

Unai Emery has transformed Aston Villa’s fortunes since taking over three years ago. The 54-year-old Spaniard masterminded a thrilling Champions League campaign last season and his side are now pushing Arsenal and Manchester City hard at the top of the Premier League.

REACTION: PL legend savages ‘astonishingly poor’ Man Utd reality after Amorim sacking

Darren Fletcher

If Darren Fletcher, 41, hits the ground running during his interim spell, could he be a candidate for the full-time job at United? The former Red Devils midfielder has never managed a senior side but has a huge chance to impress. He may hope to follow in the footsteps of former teammate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who landed the job permanently after impressing as caretaker boss.

Thomas Tuchel

Thomas Tuchel has one job at the moment — to win the World Cup with England later this year. The German, 52, has hinted that he is open to prolonging his stay but the former Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss could be tempted by the Old Trafford hotseat.

Mauricio Pochettino

Manchester United have previously been linked with a move for former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine, 53, is currently in charge of the US national team, meaning he could be available to take over after the World Cup.

Andoni Iraola

Spain’s Andoni Iraola, 43, has impressed since taking over at Bournemouth in 2023, securing club-record Premier League points tallies in his first two seasons. His three visits to Old Trafford as Bournemouth boss have included two 3-0 wins and last month’s dramatic 4-4 draw.