Julian Nagelsmann has emerged as the leading candidate to replace Michael Carrick should Manchester United decide to dispense with their under-fire head coach.
Carrick appears to be on the brink of dismissal after United suffered a galling 4-1 Champions League defeat away at Como on Wednesday night, leaving them winless in their last seven matches across all competitions.
He also seems to have lost the dressing room. Bruno Fernandes publicly questioned his tactics at full-time in Como, barely a week after Lisandro Martinez’s remarkable outburst in Madrid.
Some at United are still said to be backing Carrick, but reports suggest the club are lining up candidates to replace him in the event he is relieved of his duties.
Nagelsmann leads the shortlist
The Telegraph reported on Thursday morning that the former Germany and Bayern Munich boss is open to replacing Carrick, while TalkSport say he has already been sounded out about the role.
Nagelsmann has been out of work since the summer, when he stepped down as head coach of the German national team after Paraguay knocked them out of the World Cup last 32.
The other candidates
Plenty of candidates are queuing up for the job, with the managerial market in rude health.
Antonio Conte, a Premier League winner with Chelsea who was most recently at Napoli, has reportedly been offered to United. The Telegraph say he does not figure on the club’s shortlist.
United are known to be keen on Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler. The club acknowledge, however, that he would likely prove an expensive appointment given he agreed a new long-term contract last season.
Eddie Howe is out of work and is reportedly admired by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. It remains to be seen how much sway Ratcliffe will have over the decision-making process. Howe also said upon leaving Newcastle this summer that he would like to spend some time away from the game.
The i Paper has tipped Aston Villa’s Unai Emery as a “dream candidate” after he helped Villa to Europa League glory last season. He is thought to be tricky to prise away from Birmingham.
Como’s Cesc Fabregas had previously been mentioned as a left-field option. The chances of him wanting to take over at United after beating them 4-1 are profoundly slim.
Bournemouth match looms
United host Bournemouth in the league on Sunday, a match that could decide Carrick’s future if no call is made before then.