Evaluating Potential Manchester United Managers

Manager pickings are pretty slim to be honest, made worse by both our poor recent record putting off managers who don’t know what they will be facing if they take on the Manchester United job, and the fact that other top sides are looking for managers this summer.

We have seen Bayern Munich struggling to get a manager and they are easily a better prospect in the short to medium term than us. I like the look of Arne Slot, but he is Liverpool bound and I think he could do very well with them.

Nagelsmann was probably the best option of the more established names that might have been available, but he’s committed to the German national team until 2026 now. So we can rule him out.

Managers I really don’t want include Southgate who doesn’t have a distinct style of play and while he’s done well with the national team, my feeling is international football suits him better than the relentless cut and thrust of domestic league football. Tuchel is another that I really don’t want, negative tactics and someone who often falls out with people. A good manager no doubt, but he doesn’t feel like a natural fit for a Manchester United manager.

There are some managers who might be available who have some good qualities, but I have some sizeable concerns over. De Zerbi has shown some great tactical nous, but Brighton have taken a step back this year, and there is something about the way he comes across that is off putting for me. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it’s just a bad vibe.

Inzaghi at Inter has done a great job and should be in line for some of the top jobs, but his style of play is too defensive and reactive for me. Potter is an interesting one, I really liked him at Brighton and personally I still rate him higher than De Zerbi. He seems like the guy who can communicate well, and build a strong team ethic. Tactically, he’s very astute as well, but he does have a “damaged goods” air to him after his stint with Chelsea. Personally, I think that is a bit harsh as I think Chelsea at that time were totally unmanageable and every manager would have failed. But until he shows it was a blip and he is capable of succeeding somewhere other than Brighton, then there will be a question mark hanging over him.

Which really leaves those younger, less proven up and coming managers. Bright and exciting, but lacking in experience. They could become the next top manager in the right set up, but they are a bit of a gamble.

Xabi Alonso would have been the dream up and coming…