28 Oct 2024 12:36:37
You've prob been asked or will be Ed002 but whose the likely names in the frame?
{Ed002's Note - Ruud van Nistelrooy - the soft option - perhaps give him the job until the end of the season whilst the club try and sort out a deal for a full time appointment.
Gareth Southgate - could come to the fore given his relationship with Ashworth and I suspect he could emerge as the first choice but not available until next summer. If he arrives Jim Ratcliffe will want Steve Holland to join him, but Steve Holland will likely be heading elsewhere.
Xavi Hernandez (C) Xavi will perhaps take a year off and think carefully about his options. Middle East perhaps. Enquiries from Borussia Dortmund and Ajax went nowhere. His agent has said two English sides (Manchester United and Newcastle) and one national side (South Korea) approached him but his client wants time off for now. That could of course change
Edin Terzic - Well respected coach and available. Is another on the shortening list for Manchester United who have lost out on their first choice. However, I suspect he may not be interested at this time.
Thomas Frank (C) Bayer Leverkusen were considering Frank as an option to replace Alonso, but he is now staying until probably 2026. Some support for Frank at Manchester United but it would be a significant step up.
Zinedine Zidane - has a tentative agreement to take a senior role at another side subject to a takeover but is likely to wait for Deschamps to depart his job with France. Barely speaks English.
Ruben Amorim (C) Manchester City are waiting on Guardiola to decide whether to extend or not, but they have a preferred option to Amorim. Newcastle will offer a wildcard option and will pay the termination clause and the cost of terminating his staff but they will not be an attractive option. A wildcard could be Manchester United.
Sebastian Hoeness (C) - Stuttgart - long-term wants the Bayern Munich job - and they could look to him after Kompany - but Bayer Leverkusen could step in to add jim as a Xavi Alonso replacement in 2026. Spoke with Chelsea after a formal approach in the summer. Manchester United had offer to replace ten Hag firmly rejected in the summer.
Kieran McKenna - known to many of the staff and players and well liked - but a huge step up and therefore a huge risk.
Xabi Alonso - Wildcard with support from a key decision maker at Manchester United. Can't see him being interested with a clear target to repace Carlo Ancelotti in 18 months or so.
Massimiliano Allegri - Strikes me as unlikely but may be considered due to support from someone advising the club.
Eddie Howe - I understand that he has been discounted for now following internal discussions although there is support for him.
Graham Potter - I understand that he is down the list following internal discussions and probably dismissed as an option for now.
Simone Inzaghi - Inzaghi already has a job and he has no intention of leaving - it is hard to see the timing being right. Perhaps an option for Manchester United in the future.
}
1.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 13:08:33
If Southgate becomes first choice then I would seriously worry about the ability of the new setup.
2.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 13:49:18
Just imagine it's Southgate after everything.
3.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 14:41:24
Let's just hope the new manager, whoever that may be, plays Rashford in his proper position. On the bench.
4.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:11:49
My money is on Xavi. Not sure if he’s any good, but think that’s who we will go for.
5.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:30:16
A fair few of those are available now so wonder if that will force their hand, as opposed to waiting if there's a clear first choice currently unavailable. Is the season salvageable in terms of winning something, or is it more a case of Ruud steadying the ship ready for a proper go next summer.
6.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 14:36:54
Ed02 - out of curiosity, now that Tuchel is no longer available, who in your opinion do you think would be the best option?
{Ed002's Note - Terzic is a very strong character but I doubt he will be interested in the job. Xavi will need persuading and may not be interested until the summer. Again a good option. i don't know enough about van Nistelrooy but Ajax were keen on him.}
7.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:44:30
I'll be very disappointed if it turns out to be Southgate. But whoever it is, whether it's my preferred choice or not will get my backing.
They will need the fan base United behind them if they are to have any chance of success. We can't keep letting our own fans sow the seeds of disharmony and discontent at our club. We really are our own worst enemy at times.
8.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 15:50:25
Just read Carl Anka’s summary of Ruud’s coaching style on the Athletic: maybe a bit more controlled than ETH but similar otherwise, such as committing too many players forward and getting caught on the break. Thus be surprised if huge other, unless EtH’s alleged lack of clear communication skills was a huge problem and RVN able to communicate much more effectively.
9.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 16:10:08
There will be lots of speculation and a media feeding frenzy and fans going out of their minds worrying about things that will never happen.
All we can do is wait and see.
Insaghi or amorin look like great options but will hardly leave their posts mid season. The other 2 I like are xavi whi is free or hoeness but with him the same issue of leaving his team mid season.
Any of those 4 appeal to me more than Southgate or howe or mckenna.
Really looking forward to seeing how it all works out.
In the meantime RVN casks the shots. One of my favourite ever united players. I really hope he does well and steadies the ship and gives the players a happier and more enjoyable Working environment.
10.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 16:24:40
There is also the highly realistic possibility that Ruud will be even more out of his depth and league position will drop further, in which case he won’t get the chance to see out the season so a permanent appointment could happen sooner.
11.) 28 Oct 2024
28 Oct 2024 17:46:08
Amorin is interesting but not sure he done more than Villas Boas at this stage.
I like the idea of McKenna, but that’s probably romantic and unrealistic.
If I was putting my work hat on I’d go for Pep. Give him full control of game model and direction of youth coaching and equity in the club based on performance. Wait up to seasons to make possible. Again unrealistic.
Naglesman is the one for me, realistic, experienced, versatile and with potential. I’m convinced he is getable for end of season or in dual role to 2026. I’d go for this guy.
Southgate, I don’t like as a coach but as a “Manager” I think he could work but he’d need to delegate. He’d be a steady set of hands to 2028 before a planned successor ie McKenna.
I think the logical option is Ruud gets a run out to see if he can keep us going until the end of the season, if he wobbles or doesn’t quite have it I’d take Ole back until end of season unless he wins Europa or finishes top 4.
I like this option as if Ruud works out until end of season we can reassess and look at market again which may include De Zerbi, Alonso and others like Zidane to learn English. Also if Ole works out best case to 2028 the club know his limitations and can succession plan effectively.
12.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 02:00:44
I think we look back at Ole’s tenure with rose tinted specs. Sadly not good enough, albeit I wanted it to work for him. If he was that good, he’d be in a job by now.
13.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 05:19:23
Do you not think Amorim is the right pick Ed in your view?
{Ed001's Note - I know you weren't asking me, but as it double sent I held one for Ed2 as well and it gives me the chance to stick my snout in. I would look at Hoeness personally.}
14.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 05:55:47
Thanks Ed 1. I like this shout. Amorim for some reason doesn’t feel right to me. Or Terzic.
{Ed001's Note - Amorim worried me with his attitude last summer when a few clubs looked at him. He was playing every one off against each other, and ended up with all of them looking elsewhere instead. It felt like he was not worried about what fit him, but just how much money he could get. When you have the biggest clubs in the world looking at you, money shouldn't matter as they will all pay enough to set you up for life. He wasn't bothered about who gave him the best platform to succeed, which suggests his focus is all wrong.
Hoeness has massively impressed me and I think now is a good time to step in for him.}
15.) 29 Oct 2024
29 Oct 2024 05:19:10
Do you not think Amorim is the right pick Ed in your view?
{Ed002's Note - I think his preference would be for Manchester City but he will be aware that they have a preferred option and would ideally like Guardiola to stay longer in any case.}