Man Utd turn to next Jurgen Klopp as Howe, Nagelsmann interest cools
Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness is a new manager on the radar of Manchester United as they weigh up Michael Carrick’s future, according to a report, with INEOS chiefs ‘much less sold on Eddie Howe’ than other sources have claimed.
Carrick’s chances of remaining Man Utd head coach were given a huge lift on Tuesday when his side completed a stunning comeback against Roma in the Champions League. Carrick seemed doomed when Roma went 2-0 up at Old Trafford early on, but Matheus Cunha inspired United to a dramatic 3-2 win while also getting sent off in injury time.
Despite that victory, speculation that United could sack Carrick remains rife. United director of football Jason Wilcox, along with club CEO Omar Berrada, has decided to reassess the situation at the start of the international break.
That means United’s home clash against Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon could prove crucial to Carrick’s future. The fact he will come up against dream United managerial target Unai Emery makes the game even more intriguing.
As per The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, United ‘have been racked by indecision’ over whether to stick with Carrick or swing the axe.
‘Numerous sources say there is a sense that no one was actually willing to make a call on the manager, a problem compounded by the fact they have “little idea” over a replacement,’ Delaney states.
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He adds that United decision-makers are ‘much less sold on Eddie Howe than perception would have it’.
Delaney throws a new name into the mix, as Hoeness is ‘highly rated’ by United chiefs. Hoeness has been compared to Liverpool icon Jurgen Klopp as he has implemented an aggressive, high-pressing and attacking system at Stuttgart.
The 44-year-old German has transformed Stuttgart from relegation candidates to Champions League qualifiers and DFB-Pokal winners two seasons ago.
Hoeness has also been praised for his ability to develop young, and undervalued, players.
However, United officials are wary of the fact that appointing Hoeness would ‘involve a huge Ruben Amorim-like leap from Stuttgart’.
Howe, Nagelsmann now less appealing for Man Utd
Fellow German Julian Nagelsmann has previously been named as a strong contender for the job, alongside Howe.
But Delaney reports that Nagelsmann’s stock has ‘significantly dropped’. Those at Bayern Munich do not speak highly of the 39-year-old following his disappointing spell there, a key factor which has seemingly put United off.
United will struggle to convince Fabian Hurzeler or Emery to leave their current clubs. There is appreciation for Cesc Fabregas, but he ‘isn’t going anywhere for now’.
Antonio Conte is seen as a coach who could get the best out of the struggling squad, but United are cautious of ‘an inevitable blow-up’ further down the line.
The Athletic’s United reporter, Laurie Whitwell, has said that United are not ‘advancing’ in talks with any managerial candidate, suggesting that Carrick has ‘got the job’ for the time being.
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