Noted football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano on Wednesday confirmed Antonio Conte, Eddie Howe, and Julian Nagelsmann are among managers who could succeed Michael Carrick at Manchester United. As of now, the club board is backing the player-turned-manager, but his job is far from safe, he said.
According to Romano, the board is looking to hold the squad responsible for the poor run rather than the manager for now, but another defeat means they will have to sack Carrick. Speaking via YouTube, Romano said Unai Emery is also a manager who has impressed the Manchester United hierarchy, but his stature at Aston Villa makes him "very attractive but very difficult to get."
In fact, Romano claimed to know the exact order of preference for the United board. Howe is in pole position, followed by Nagelsmann and then Conte. However, the Premier League side has yet to zero in on a name, despite having held talks with their representatives, he reportedly said.
"I told you that the three names we should take into consideration as free managers are in this order – Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann, Antonio Conte," Romano began.
"Man United had conversations with agents of managers. United are yet to say ‘okay, let’s go for this coach.’ So the moment is still open, but these are three names and obviously to talk with representatives, intermediaries, or anyone close to these coaches is absolutely normal in this situation, in this position for Manchester United," TEAMtalk quoted him as saying.
It was widely reported that Manchester United manager Michael Carrick is now set for a game-by-game fight to save his job. Carrick will be in charge on Saturday for a game against Chelsea in the Premier League—which will be his chance to turn results around.
Two bad losses and poor performances against well-run, low-budget opponents in the past week have pushed Carrick close to being fired despite having been given a full-time contract in May, after being in temporary charge.
United were humbled in a 4-1 loss at Como in the Champions League and then 3-0 at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Sunday. Fans at Old Trafford showed clear support for Carrick as he left the pitch, before jeering the players as they followed him off.
