There’s already talk of Ruben Amorim being sacked by Manchester United after a rotten run of form that has seen them slump into the bottom reaches of the Premier League table.
In truth he will surely be given a summer to build a squad closer to something that suits his formation.
So who could take over at Manchester United; we have the big names with the latest odds here…
10) Thomas Frank
The current fourth favourite for the Tottenham job and somehow that feels more likely than the big old leap to Manchester United from the safety and low expectations of Brentford, who really don’t care that he plays direct football. He was the favourite of Dan Ashworth but he is long gone.
9) Edin Terzic
The former Borussia Dortmund boss was high in the reckoning for the Tottenham job, mostly we suspect because he is available. The same criteria could get him the nod here, and it’s fair to say that former Dortmund bosses have generally done okay in Our League.
8) Marco Rose
“I’ve always played a diamond when I’ve had the opportunity to do it, bringing in two strikers,” might endear him to Manchester United fans. He is available, having been sacked by RB Leipzig.
7) Thiago Motta
About this time last year, Motta was said to be Manchester United’s ‘preferred name’ to replace Erik ten Hag. He has since been appointed and then sacked by Juventus. Does that make him more or less desirable?
6) Marco Silva
Has done quietly brilliant things at Fulham, but would Manchester United settle for quietly brilliant things? They probably should.
5) Max Allegri
It was said in September that ‘little birds’ had been flirting with the former Juventus boss. Then in December – amid links with West Ham – he confidently described his English as “very good”. Five Serie A titles would suggest he certainly knows how to claim trophies.
4) Andoni Iraola
Figures high in the betting for any big Premier League job after improbably taking Bournemouth into the higher reaches of the Premier League table. The problem is that Real Madrid are also said to have added him to their list of candidates to replace Carlo Ancelotti, and somehow we don’t think United win that battle…
3) Ernesto Valverde
If he wants the job, we strongly recommend coaching Athletic Bilbao to a Europa League semi-final win over Manchester United.
2) Xavi
According to reports in Spain: ‘At Manchester United, some directors believe that Xavi could be the ideal man to rebuild the team, especially since his style of play resembles what they have been looking for since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson.’
The former Barcelona coach has been out of work since the end of last season, when it was reported that he was eyeing an “interesting” club in the Premier League. And the one thing you can guarantee with United is ‘interesting’.
1) Gareth Southgate
Very strongly linked with the Manchester United job last summer after somehow taking England to another European final. He would not be a popular appointment, but the good news for United fans is that it won’t happen. He said as recently as October: “I won’t coach in the next year for sure, I’m certain of that. I need to give myself time to make good decisions. When you come out of a really big role you need to give your body time, you need to give your mind time. I’m enjoying my life, so there’s no rush.”
That hasn’t stopped him being described as a “master of manipulation” and being tipped for the big job, mind.
