After fourteen months under the leadership of Ruben Amorim, Manchester United are once again looking for a new manager. There is no obvious stand-out favourite this time around, so who do the writers at The Peoples Person think should be next in the hotseat? The team is widely divided on the issue, with no less than nine different names being proposed. Alex Browne’s choice: Eddie Howe Alex says: “Manchester United have decided to part ways with yet another manager. The Red Devils have a wide range of managers to choose from but they must not repeat the same mistake as before. They need a coach who has Premier League experience and who has also enjoyed recent success.” “One name is Eddie Howe at Newcastle United. He employs a dynamic, physical style of football that is proving to be a recipe for success in the modern Premier League. Crucially he understands the English league inside out and has also impressed in the Champions League with Newcastle. He has also proven he can organise a defence, which is something Amorim could never crack.” Ayantan Chowdhury’s choice: Carlo Ancelotti Ayantan says: “INEOS have quite the conundrum on their hands: stick with a similar philosophy or go back to what the club has always stood for. Should the hierarchy feel they will continue this obsession with three at the back and wingbacks, Oliver Glasner or Andoni Iraola fit the bill, owing to their Premier League experience, while Enzo Maresca is a free agent, which would suit INEOS.” “However, if they are considering a return to playing with a traditional four at the back with wingers, going for someone like Carlo Ancelotti in the summer or even bringing back Ole Gunnar Solskjaer makes a lot of sense. Both have a proven track record of bringing out the best in players by allowing them to express themselves individually. Restoring confidence in certain members of the squad could be enough to elevate this group instead of over-emphasising tactical rigidity.” “Wildcard choice would be Julian Nagelsmann. He oscillates between a three at the back and four-man defence, while playing an attractive brand of football. However, his ego and his long-term Germany contract could stand in the way.” Colm Murphy’s choice: Kieran McKenna Colm says: “The romantic in me can look no further than Kieran McKenna. From winning the North league title with our u18s to the wonders he has worked at Ipswich, he knows the club and Ole attributed much of the team’s training and tactical work to McKenna when the club came third and second in their two full seasons in charge.” “Additionally, he is an experienced coach who is widely acclaimed for his analytical approach and flexibility as a coach. The club needs to implement a long-term hierarchy structure with a coach that can get the best out of the team rather than an all-powerful manager, which suits McKenna perfectly.” Conner Botterill’s choice: Andoni Iraola Conner says: “Personally, I would give it to Iraola. I’m not particularly sold on anyone at the moment but I think going as ‘proven’ as you can in terms of Premier League experience, he ticks the boxes over Glasner who plays with a similar set up to Amorim and heaven forbid you change a system to something that moves away from perceived tradition.” “Despite the recent dip, you cannot help but be impressed with the job Iraola has done at Bournemouth and he will certainly play attacking football which will appease a lot of the fanbase any buy him some early time, if nothing else. INEOS have tried to go for PL proven players, which has worked this summer, so I expect them to do the same with a manager. He just feels the lesser of the gambles to me at things stand and I think the players we have in the squad at present will adapt to his methods as quickly as anyone else’s.” Dan Burton’s choice: Xavi Hernandez Dan says: “I believe Xavi Hernandez is the best suited Head Coach to take over from Ruben Amorim at United. The Catalonian plays a brand of attacking football that is attractive and would entertain fans, whilst also bringing in through academy players, which is one of the foundations of United as a club.” Daniel Onguko’s choice: Cesc Fabregas Daniel says: “Serie A side Como’s head coach, Cesc Fabregas, could well be the man to restore Manchester United’s competitive edge. Under his guidance, Como have flourished with possession-based football, tactical fluidity, relentless pressing, and vertical, progressive passing. They have also proved defensively resilient, conceding just 12 goals so far, the fewest in Serie A. This is precisely the brand of football that the Old Trafford faithful have been yearning for.” “Of course, prising him away from the Blue and Whites will not be straightforward; even Inter Milan failed in their pursuit last summer. Nevertheless, the opportunity to coach the Red Devils should be far too enticing for Fabregas to resist. If INEOS want United to reclaim their lost glory, they must go and secure his services. The former Chelsea midfielder has the aura and elite-level experience required to breathe new life into this Manchester United side.” Darragh Fox’s choice: Thomas Tuchel Darragh says: “Tuchel combines the best qualities of his rivals for the job in England – adaptable, tactically astute, Premier League proven – with the experience of someone who has led Europe’s biggest clubs to the game’s grandest prizes.” “There are few coaches in world football with the confidence to handle the pressure of the hotseat at Old Trafford – but Tuchel is one. How many Germans would even dream of managing England at a World Cup, let alone making the Three Lions favourites to win it?” “Tuchel will not be available until after the tournament finishes in the summer, but the 52-year-old is a coach worth waiting for. He should have been Erik ten Hag’s replacement in 2024 – INEOS now have the chance to correct this mistake in 2026.” Deepungsu Pandit’s choice: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Deep says: “United played some of their best football in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who arguably deserves a chance at redemption at the Theatre of Dreams. The Baby-Faced Assassin’s possible return would bring back his flexible 4-3-3 system and could offer fans a potential midfield trio of Carlos Baleba, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes next season.” “Ole created magic with a front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, so the Cunha-Sesko-Mbeumo trident could flourish under his tutelage. During his two-year, 11-month stint with United, the Norwegian promoted 16 players from the youth ranks to the senior side, so the club’s ethos and long-term vision would be in safe hands should their prodigal son return.” Derick Kinoti’s choice: Enzo Maresca Derick says: “The case for Enzo Maresca as Manchester United’s next manager is a compelling one. He offers what most others on the list lack: proven experience at a major club. His tenure at Chelsea, though ending in controversial dismissal, is widely viewed as a case of a manager overcoming significant internal challenges. This firsthand knowledge of navigating a madhouse is invaluable. As Amorim’s struggles demonstrated, a steady, proven hand is precisely what United need. Furthermore, his existing relationships with key members of the United hierarchy, including Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox from their shared time at Manchester City, could help alleviate concerns about swapping one firebrand for another.” “Adding to his appeal are Maresca’s tactical intelligence and man-management skills. His career to date has been built on an attractive, possession-based style of play, usually structured around a four-man defence. His progressive football aligns perfectly with United’s historic identity and the demands of the fans. This commitment to a clear philosophy is balanced by a pragmatic flexibility. Maresca has shown he will alter his system to maximise the strengths of his squad. The Italian’s approach successfully balances the development of young talent with the management of a squad’s more experienced players. Maresca has been hotly tipped to succeed Pep Guardiola when the City boss calls time on his career at the Etihad. United should be doing everything possible to lure him to the red side of the city.” Joe Ponting’s choice: Unai Emery Joe says: “With Aston Villa an unlikely third contender in the Premier League title race it’s surely an impossible dream, but Unai Emery would be my dream pick for next United boss. After a rough time with Arsenal the Spaniard has returned to English football an all-round tougher proposition. His Villa side are energetic and well-drilled while still a serious attacking unit, and in the United hotseat Mr Europa League could take things to the next level – worth making some Midlands enemies to obtain his services as soon as possible!” Mathew Cohen’s choice: Oliver Glasner Mathew says: “I would like to see Oliver Glasner become United’s next manager. In addition to being a Premier League-proven candidate, Glasner has taken what was once a mediocre Crystal Palace and turned them into a force to be reckoned with. He has proven his big-game mentality, winning the FA Cup and Community Shield with Palace, showing that he doesn’t easily crumble under pressure.” “Furthermore, Glasner has proven to be adaptable, changing his lineup and formation to get the most out of the players at his disposal. This is something that Amorim refused to do, until the final few games when his fate seemed to already be sealed.” Red Billy’s choice: Enzo Maresca Billy says: “At this stage it seems logical and probable that INEOS appoint a manager with Premier League experience and experience of managing a top four team brimming with egos. If those two criteria are a given, it narrows down the choices dramatically. As we saw with David Moyes, being a great manager of a PL underdog doesn’t make you a great manager of one of the big guns. That is my concern with the likes of Iraola, Glasner, Silva and co.” “The chances are pretty remote of Klopp, Ancelotti or Pochettino being considered, so that really leaves us with Maresca, Tuchel, Conte and maybe Eddie Howe. For me, Maresca is the best option in terms of playing attractive football. By getting Chelsea to the Champions League in his first season, he’s shown he can get a tune out of a highly dysfunctional squad. My only concern is him falling out with his superiors, but Conte and Tuchel are probably even more of a risk in that regard.” “Another plus for Maresca is that he will be available immediately.” Vishal Singh’s choice: Xavi Hernandez Vishal says: “Xavi Hernandez should be at the top of Manchester United’s managerial shortlist.” “Ruben Amorim’s frequent emotional outbursts undermined his authority. As such, United, first and foremost, need a head coach capable of handling pressure and dressing-room politics. Having played for and managed Barcelona, Xavi knows what it’s like to be under the spotlight.” “As far as tactics are concerned, the Spaniard likes to dominate possession and press aggressively without the ball. A tactically flexible coach, who used both back four and back three formations at Barca. He is a manager who doesn’t need specialists in every position to effectively implement his ideas. Took over an ageing Barcelona squad, ninth in the league, without a major transfer budget and introduced a number of academy players and led them to a second place finish. In his first full season he won the league.” Who do you think should be United’s next permanent manager? Take part in our poll below. The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Red Billy Red Billy is the managing editor of The Peoples Person, author of three books and two magazines and totally obsessed with football’s transfer market. Billy first saw United live in 1971, watching George Best, Bobby Charlton and Denis Law, before becoming a League Match ticket book holder from 1975/76 and a writer since 1995. Billy still insists Matteo Darmian and Alex Telles could have made it at United given half a chance.
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