Howe and Nagelsmann Emerge as Leading Candidates to Replace Carrick at Manchester United
Manchester United are exploring Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as potential replacements for under-pressure head coach Michael Carrick, with Unai Emery also admired but harder to prise from Aston Villa.
Manchester United are working to identify a possible successor to head coach Michael Carrick, whose position is under major threat after the club's poor start to the season, with Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann emerging as prominent early contenders, according to BBC Sport. Both managers are said to be aware of United's interest.
The availability of candidates is shaping the search. Howe, Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are all out of work, which would make appointments simpler. Sources have told BBC Sport that Howe, the former Newcastle boss, is fully open to joining United specifically if Carrick loses his job. Nagelsmann is also free after leaving his role as Germany head coach following the World Cup, while Conte, who has also been linked with Juventus, is open to returning after departing Napoli in May.
Howe, 48, has been out of work since leaving Newcastle in the summer. He ended the club's 56-year wait for a trophy by winning the League Cup in 2025 and secured two Champions League qualifications in five years. Nagelsmann, 39, built his reputation at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before taking the Bayern Munich job in 2021; he won the Bundesliga in 2022 but was sacked the following season amid fluctuating form.
Aston Villa's Unai Emery is admired at United for steering the Midlands club to Champions League qualification twice since arriving in 2022, but his contract runs until 2029, complicating any move. Brighton's Fabian Hurzeler is also well liked at Old Trafford, though Brighton would have little interest in discussing his availability and a deal would be financially difficult.
Cesc Fabregas is another name in the frame after his Como side beat United 4-1 on Wednesday night, a result that pushed Carrick to the brink. The 39-year-old is regarded as one of Europe's best young coaches for guiding Como from Serie B to the Champions League. Should Carrick be dismissed, United would be seeking their eighth permanent manager or head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
