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Michael Carrick could soon have his Manchester United tenure ended(Image: Getty)
It now seems inevitable that Michael Carrick will imminently be relieved of his duties at Manchester United. So, who are some big free-agent coaches who could step in to replace him?
After guiding United to third in last year's Premier League, Carrick was handed the reins permanently in the summer. But only £153million was thrown his way transfer-wise and this was almost exclusively spent on midfielders.
To start the current season, United have been dismal and after a 4-1 thrashing by Como in the Champions League, they hosted Bournemouth on Sunday, needing to turn up. They did not. Carrick's side were dominated from the word go and fell to a 3-0 defeat, leaving them near the foot of the table. Chants of "sacked in the morning" rang out from the Cherries' away end.
Although the fans inside Old Trafford applauded Carrick down the tunnel, the consensus seems to be amongst pundits and supporters alike that we've seen the last of the 45-year-old in the United dugout. So what next?
Well, an interim like Darren Fletcher could be shuffled out once more if Carrick does get the boot and then the club could turn their attention to one of many top-class free-agent managers. Here at Mirror Football, we've singled out seven prospective Carrick supplanters who are currently unemployed.
Ex-Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has emerged as a frontrunner for the role. He stepped down as Magpies manager in July after nearly five years at the helm and is currently on a break from coaching.
During his time at St James' Park, Howe guided Newcastle to the Champions League and lifted the Carabao Cup in 2025. His previous spell with Bournemouth was equally historic, as he won the Championship with them in 2015, earning promotion to the Premier League.
Howe is the bookies' favourite to take over(Image: Getty)
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Former Chelsea and Spurs manager Antonio Conte has actually addressed the possibility of taking over at United. He most recently managed Napoli and is a five-time Serie A-winning coach, but left Naples in June after winning the 2024/25 title.
His stint at Stamford Bridge also saw him lift the Premier League and FA Cup. In a lengthy statement released earlier this month, the Italian claimed he is open to future projects but is not in any negotiations with United or any other club.
Conte has touched on the possibility of joining United(Image: Getty)
Julian Nagelsmann stepped down from his role as Germany manager after their disappointing World Cup 2026 campaign and he remains unattached.
He previously managed Hoffenheim, where he became the youngest manager in Bundesliga history, before taking over at RB Leipzig, whom he helped reach the Champions League semi-finals. He then endured a stint at Bayern Munich and has previously been of interest to top English clubs.
Nagelsmann disappointed at the World Cup(Image: Getty)
Former United coach Kieran McKenna is familiar with what it takes to work at the club - though that has seemingly meant very little for Carrick. McKenna managed United's Under-18s and worked under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with the first team.
He then left to manage Ipswich Town, where he achieved back-to-back promotions to the Premier League. He has been on a planned sabbatical since leaving the Tractor Boys in June, but he is a lifelong United fan. However, it has been claimed that a hefty compensation fee would stand in the way of any club wanting to hire him.
McKenna worked under Solskjaer(Image: Getty)
We enter cloud cuckoo land slightly with these suggestions, but Gareth Southgate's name has been linked with United since he stepped down as England boss in July 2024. With Southgate at the helm, the Three Lions made a World Cup semi-final and consecutive Euros finals.
Southgate's only stint in club management with Middlesbrough from 2006 to 2009 was forgettable. Still, he has previously stated that he would reconsider returning to a club if the project was the right fit.
Southgate is a wildcard option(Image: Getty)
Another former international coach without a job, Roberto Martinez, has always been highly thought of. The Spaniard enjoyed spells with Swansea City, Wigan - where he won the FA Cup - and Everton before guiding Belgium to a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
His latest job came with Portugal, where he won the Nations League. His bond with stars like Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot could put him on the list, though he remains an unlikely option.
Martinez is without a club(Image: Getty)
Finally, perhaps United bite the bullet and give club legend Solskjaer another try. Many fans grew fond of the Norwegian during his stint as boss from 2018 to 2021 and his name came up after Ruben Amorim's exit.
The top brass may not want to admit they made a mistake sacking him five years ago by bringing him back, but he is on the market after being dismissed by Besiktas in August 2025.
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