Next Manchester United coach: Who will succeed Ruben Amorim?

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The Ruben Amorim era is over at Manchester United.

After barely over a year in charge, United finally sacked the Portuguese manager this week. Amorim was the club's sixth head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013, and all of them have fallen short of the Scottish legend's achievements.

While United may never find another Sir Alex, the Red Devils would settle for a few major trophies. It's been 13 years since the club last lifted the Premier League and 18 since its most recent Champions League.

As United looks to find Amorim's replacement, it will have to decide whether it wants to appoint a full-time head coach now, or go with a caretaker until the summer when more candidates will be available.

For now, here are the most likely candidates to take over at Old Trafford.

Darren Fletcher

The first candidate to get a crack at taking charge will be Fletcher, who was named interim head coach after Amorim's sacking.

Fletcher enjoyed a distinguished career with United, winning a host of honors during a 12-year spell at Old Trafford. The 41-year-old has been coaching in the club's academy since his retirement, meaning Wednesday's game against Burnley will be his first at the senior level.

United will likely go for a more experienced candidate, but Fletcher will at least have a game or two to show what he can do.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Solskjaer is reportedly in the mix to take over as a caretaker manager, and the Norwegian remains a hugely popular figure at the club for his exploits as a player and coach.

Solskjaer has already served as United head coach, leading the club through an up-and-down period that ended when he was sacked in 2021 after three and a half years in charge.

The 52-year-old has been out of work since he was fired by Beşiktaş in August, and would likely be seen as a bridge candidate. But if he puts together an inspired run, Solskjaer could potentially return on a full-time basis.

Michael Carrick

Like Fletcher, Carrick had a successful career as a midfielder with United and has already served as a caretaker boss. After Solskjaer was sacked, Carrick took charge of three games at the end of 2021.

Carrick has gone on to manage Middlesbrough for three years before departing at the end of last season. The 44-year-old appears to be more of a caretaker option, but his strong ties to the club and previous managerial experience would give him a decent shot at success.

Enzo Maresca

Not only is Maresca available as of last week after being sacked by Chelsea, but he worked with United CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox when all three were at Manchester City.

Maresca may have his eye on the City job, however, as he held talks over replacing Pep Guardiola while still employed with Chelsea. But Guardiola is a legend who will only leave City when he decides, and it's not clear if that will happen in the near future.

That could tempt Maresca to entertain an offer from City's crosstown rival, but it's unclear if United has any interest in the Italian.

Gareth Southgate

Southgate has been linked with the United job in the past, and is available after leaving the England men's national team in July 2024.

The 55-year-old had huge success at the international level, but hasn't managed in the club game since leaving Middlesbrough in 2009. If he is interested in a return, Southgate would be an immediate contender.

Mauricio Pochettino

Like Southgate, Pochettino has been linked with the United job in the past. Unlike Southgate, Pochettino is not available as he is signed on to manage the U.S. men's national team through the World Cup.

But Pochettino has made no secret of his desire to return to the Premier League at some point. That moment could come as soon as this summer, should United opt for a coach with plenty of previous success in the English top flight.

Thomas Tuchel

Tuchel and Pochettino are in similar positions. Both have never coached United despite previous links to the club, and both have a track record of success in the Premier League.

The pair also have contracts with international sides through the World Cup. Should Tuchel choose to leave England after the tournament in North America, his next stop could be Old Trafford.

Oliver Glasner

Glasner has burnished his reputation since taking over Crystal Palace in February 2024, leading the Eagles to their first major trophy by winning the FA Cup last May.

The Austrian is also out of contract at the end of this season and is not planning on renewing, per Fabrizio Romano.

Glasner plays a three-back system like Amorim. It's unclear if that would be a benefit or detriment to his candidacy.

Andoni Iraola

The luster has come off Iraola a bit over the past few months as Bournemouth has gone from the top four to 15th place after a miserable run of form.

Still, it's impossible to ignore how effective Iraola has been early in his managerial career — first in Spain with Mirandés and Rayo Vallecano and then with the Cherries.

Bournemouth finished in the top half of the table last season and could still do so again this time around, a major achievement for one of the Premier League's smallest clubs.

Kieran McKenna

McKenna was a hot candidate last summer after guiding Ipswich Town to back-to-back promotions, but saw the Tractor Boys immediately relegated back to the Championship.

But McKenna is still only 39 and highly regarded, with Ipswich in good position to challenge for promotion back to the Premier League this season. He also knows United well, having worked as an assistant under Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Next Manchester United coach: Who will succeed Ruben Amorim?

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