Ruben Amorim sacked by Manchester United: Who's crazy enough to take on football’s most demanding job?
Could Ole Gunnar Solskjaer be one of the men Manchester United look at to fill the manager's chair following the sacking of Ruben Amorim?
Image: Oli Scarff/AFP
Manchester United announced on Monday that Ruben Amorim has been relieved of his duties following a 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Sunday.
While the official explanation points to the team’s sixth-place position in the Premier League, many supporters believe Amorim’s outspoken comments about his lack of authority ultimately sealed his fate.
Amorim’s firing comes just 14 months after he was appointed as Erik ten Hag’s replacement towards the back end of 2024.
With Amorim gone, IOL Sport takes a look at eight managers the club could look at to fill the most demanding job in world football.
Could Julian Nagelsmann quit the German national team after the World Cup and become the next Manchester United manager?
Image: AFP
Nagelsmann would represent Manchester United swinging big and modern, targeting a coach whose tactical flexibility and innovation align with the club’s desire to be elite again rather than merely stable. His ability to shift between back-three and back-four systems, tailor pressing structures to opponents, and develop young players would appeal strongly to a squad that is still a work in progress. United’s hierarchy would see him as a long-term project manager, someone capable of building an identity rather than simply firefighting results.
The complication is timing. Nagelsmann is currently embedded in an international project and has previously been selective about club roles, especially ones with structural instability. With Darren Fletcher in place until season’s end, United could afford to wait – but only if they are confident Nagelsmann is willing to engage in long-term planning discussions before the summer. If they want a clean break from short-termism, Nagelsmann is the clearest statement appointment on the list.
Thomas Tuchel
Presentation of Thomas Tuchel as the new England manager at Wembley Stadium in London on Wednesday England boss Thomas Tuchel is seen by many supporters as the perfect man to take over as the next Manchester United manager.
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England manager Tuchel offers immediate credibility and elite-level experience, having won the Champions League and handled dressing rooms full of star players under intense pressure. From a United perspective, he would be viewed as a corrective appointment after Amorim – more pragmatic, more rigid defensively, and less wedded to ideological football if results demand compromise. His ability to organise a team quickly would be attractive if the club fears further drift.
However, Tuchel’s history also raises red flags. He tends to clash with hierarchies, demands control, and rarely stays long at one club. Tuchel feels like a “win-now” option – effective, but potentially at odds with any attempt at long-term cultural rebuild.
Darren Fletcher
Could former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher be given the job on a full-time basis if he excels as interim manager?
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Fletcher’s interim appointment is as much about restoring internal trust as it is about results. He understands the club, the pressure, and the dressing room dynamics, and his presence signals a desire for calm rather than chaos after Amorim’s departure.
That said, his candidacy as a permanent manager would hinge entirely on performance and authority. United are unlikely to view him as anything more than a bridge unless he demonstrates clear tactical clarity and leadership under pressure. Fletcher’s role is to steady the ship, buy time, and perhaps influence the profile of the next appointment.
Oliver Glasner
Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner has impressed since takin on the job as the club's manager. Could he be the man Manchester United look to next?
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Glasner would be a fascinating, slightly left-field option. His work at Eintracht Frankfurt showed an ability to build cohesive, aggressive teams capable of punching above their weight in Europe, blending structure with vertical attacking play. That reputation has only been enhanced in England after guiding Crystal Palace to the FA Cup last season and then the Community Shield at the start of the current campaign – the first two pieces of silverware in Palace’s entire history, a remarkable achievement that speaks to his ability to deliver in knockout football and high-pressure moments. United’s squad could suit his preference for energetic wing-backs and disciplined pressing, especially if the club leans into physicality and transition.
The question is scale. While Glasner has now proven he can win trophies in England and elevate a club beyond its historical ceiling, Old Trafford remains a different ecosystem altogether. He would be a bold appointment.
Michael Carrick
Manchester United legend Michael Carrick has long been touted as a possible future manager of the club. His name will surely be mentioned, but his sacking last season by Middlesbrough could count against him.
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Carrick’s candidacy is complicated by the fact that he was dismissed by Middlesbrough last season, a reminder that his managerial trajectory, while promising, has not been linear. His time at Boro still showcased calm leadership, tactical organisation, and a preference for controlled possession – but the dismissal underlined lingering questions about adaptability, results under sustained pressure, and whether his ideas translate consistently over a full campaign. For Manchester United, that context matters when weighing risk versus familiarity.
United are unlikely to look at Carrick as a short-term stabiliser or emotional reset. Instead, his name fits more into the category of a coach the club continues to monitor rather than actively pursue. The appeal of a former United midfielder who understands the club’s culture remains, but the reality is that Carrick would need to re-establish momentum elsewhere before being seriously considered for a role of this magnitude.
Kieran McKenna
Having cut his teeth at Old Trafford, Kieran McKenna has long been a favourite among club bosses. Since leaving United, he’s continued to impress at Ipswich Town. Could he be set for a return to Manchester United?
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McKenna represents the modern coaching archetype United once helped create: detail-oriented, progressive, and intellectually rigorous. His rise has been rapid, and his teams are well-drilled, brave in possession, and structurally sound. Appointing McKenna would signal belief in coaching excellence rather than managerial gravitas.
But timing matters. United may feel that McKenna still needs another step before being handed one of the most demanding jobs in football.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Could we see Ole back at the wheel at Manchester United?
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Solskjaer remains popular with sections of the fanbase, understands the club’s emotional landscape, and previously delivered stability during a turbulent period. In contrast to Amorim, Ole’s man-management-first approach could be framed as a reset toward harmony.
Yet history weighs heavily. United would have to justify why circumstances would be different this time, especially given the tactical limitations that eventually undermined his tenure. With Fletcher already providing familiarity and calm, a Solskjaer comeback may feel redundant – emotionally comforting, but strategically regressive.
Roberto De Zerbi
Marseille manager Roberto de Zerbi is reportedly on Manchester United’s shortlist to replace Ruben Amorim.
Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP
De Zerbi would be the most ideologically bold choice on the list. His commitment to positional play, risk-heavy build-up and attacking dominance aligns with United’s historical self-image as a proactive club. He would excite supporters craving identity and ambition after a muddled post-Ferguson era.
The concern is fit. De Zerbi’s football demands precision, bravery and collective understanding – all difficult to impose quickly in a volatile environment. With Fletcher buying time, United may consider whether the squad and structure are ready for such an exacting coach. De Zerbi would be a high-ceiling appointment, but one that requires patience the club has rarely shown.
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