Who Could be Manchester United's New Coach in 2026
It's been a rollercoaster season for the Red Devils, who doubted Champions League qualification early on. Under Ruben Amorim, Manchester United looked far from European competition. However, after interim coach Michael Carrick, an ex-United midfielder, took charge, the team surged to third place, just two points behind Arsenal. As Carrick's tenure ends, fans wonder who will follow such a strong performance.
The search for new coaches has narrowed to five candidates. Oliver Glasner, who left Crystal Palace in January, is one. He led Palace to their first FA Cup win and Europa Conference League qualification, finishing 12th with 53 points in the Premier League. Another man who is on United’s list is Unai Emery. The Aston Villa coach has garnered great success with the team, being responsible for their return to the European soccer stage after a decade. Villa currently sits in fourth place on the Premier League table, right behind Manchester United. The Spaniard is under contract with the Lions until 2029, but rising interest from top Clubs like Real Madrid and, of course, Manchester United, might see him leave earlier than expected.
Roberto de Zerbi also seems to be in the race; the former Ligue 1 coach for Marseille has been unemployed for about a month. The Italian manager led Marseille to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 in his first season and a Champions League qualification as well. Despite his name being linked to Manchester United, Tottenham seems to be making a bigger effort to appoint him. The Spurs have been facing a tough season that will probably end with the dismissal of Igor Tudor and the hiring of a new coach.
The two men who finish the list are Andoni Iraola and Julian Nagelsmann. Iraola is the current coach of Bournemouth, although his contract ends this season. The 42-year-old Spaniard has led the Cherries to two club-record-breaking seasons since his appointment in 2023. Julian Nagelsmann, on the other hand, is the head coach of none other than the German National soccer team. A sturdy squad, we will get to see them in action this summer, as the FIFA World Cup approaches.
The Red Devils must make a decision. The option of keeping Michael Carrick is still on, and that might just be what United ends up leaning towards. If not, the search for a replacement will not be easy. Carrick is not only a great coach, but he has also proven to be an amazing fit for the team, a squad he knows better than anyone as an ex-captain of the Red Devils. It would be unfortunate to see the 44-year-old leave. Fans can only expect someone who can fill his shoes.
