Who Should Be Manchester United’s Next Manager After Ruben Amorim? 5 Leading Contenders

Manchester United find themselves, once again, at a crossroads. In a dramatic decision that came just days into 2026, the club parted ways with Ruben Amorim after a turbulent 14-month tenure that saw poor league form and off-field tensions with the board. 

United currently sit sixth in the Premier League and have endured a season of inconsistency, culminating in the dramatic dismissal of the Portuguese head coach amid growing dissatisfaction at Old Trafford. 

Darren Fletcher, the club legend and U18 coach, has been installed as interim boss while the search for a long-term successor kicks into high gear. Amid countless names swirling around the rumor mill and the transfer windows, five key candidates stand out as the most realistic and intriguing options to steady Manchester United’s turbulent ship. 

Below, we dive deep into each target, pulling together the latest informed perspectives and betting markets so you can decide who truly could be the next permanent voice at Old Trafford.

Oliver Glasner: Calm Architect With Premier League Success

Oliver Glasner sits atop the early odds boards as the most likely candidate to take over Manchester United permanently. The Austrian’s stock has risen sharply thanks to his work with Crystal Palace, where he delivered an FA Cup and Community Shield triumph while guiding the team to respectable league form.

His contract at Palace expires at the end of the current campaign, making him a realistic summer appointment if United move decisively to secure his services. What stands out most about Glasner is his ability to bring structure without fanfare. His teams are disciplined, tactically organised, and defensively sound. 

Those traits are exactly what United need after a season of tactical incoherence under Amorim. At Palace, he has successfully blended experienced pros with emerging players and carved out a playing identity that isn’t reliant on superstar names. 

For a club desperate to fuse stability with genuine progression, Glasner is very much the safe yet ambitious choice. Critics argue his methods lack flair, but at this stage of United’s rebuild, reliability could trump spectacle. A Glasner era would likely begin with tightening the defensive base, increasing intensity without the ball, and building a more predictable framework for recruitment and growth.

Enzo Maresca: The Young Innovator With A Modern Mindset

Next on the list is Enzo Maresca, a coach already making waves for his progressive ideas and commitment to youth development. Most recently at Chelsea, Maresca oversaw the Blues’ Club World Cup and Conference League success before departing amid mixed league form. 

Despite his tumultuous exit from Stamford Bridge, his tactical philosophy remains highly respected across the Premier League. Maresca’s game centres on possession dominance, progressive buildup and a clear style that prioritises control and patience.

That style aligns well with United’s desire for a long-term identity driven by smart recruitment and a bridge between academy prospects and first-team stars. His major advantage over many candidates is his age and hunger.

At 41, he represents a fresh reset and could appeal to United’s management as someone who can build a project over several seasons rather than chase immediate short-term fixes. Players often respond well to his demanding but supportive training environments, which could be vital in a squad still lacking clear direction.

The downside? Maresca’s relationship with the club hierarchy at Chelsea was reportedly fractious, echoing some of the issues United faced with Amorim. He would need a strong alignment with recruitment and sporting directors, something fans and analysts alike see as essential to this next chapter.

Thomas Tuchel: Experienced Leader For Instant Impact

Thomas Tuchel remains one of the most decorated names linked with the Manchester United job. The German, out of management at the moment. He has a proven track record at clubs like Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain and is widely recognised for his tactical acumen and ability to get immediate results from veteran squads. 

Tuchel’s appeal lies in his breadth of experience. He has competed and won the Champions League, managed high-pressure environments, and consistently extracted the best from top-tier talents. At a club like United, where expectations remain sky-high regardless of recent struggles. His credibility could unite the dressing room and fans behind a clear mission.

The counterpoint is whether United wants another established heavyweight or needs a manager who will rebuild from the ground up. Tuchel is unlikely to be a long-term project manager, and his time at Chelsea ended amid mixed league results, a concern for a club craving consistency.

Roberto De Zerbi: Charismatic Visionary With Tactical Flair

Roberto De Zerbi is a coach whose stock continues to rise across Europe. Currently managing Marseille, the Italian’s teams are known for their expressive style, aggressive buildup play and willingness to press high. 

De Zerbi represents a contrasting philosophy to Glasner’s pragmatic approach, offering United a chance to return to attractive, possession-based football. His name first emerged in Manchester United discussions during the summer of 2024, and sources suggest there’s still genuine enthusiasm for what he could bring to Old Trafford. 

De Zerbi is a manager who thrives on crafting a team identity and making the most of individual creativity within a collective framework. Fans and pundits who favour a bold style would rally behind De Zerbi, though skeptics may question his fit at a club that has struggled to balance structure and flair in recent years. He would require a supportive hierarchy and patience to fully implement his vision.

Eddie Howe: The Loyal Stabiliser Who Might Say No

Linking Eddie Howe to the Manchester United job always makes headlines. The experienced English manager transformed Newcastle United into a competitive force in the Premier League. Consistently punching above weight and maximising resources. His calm leadership, tactical balance, and strong man-management skills make him an appealing fit for a club in need of composure. 

However, recent reports suggest Howe is fully committed to Newcastle and uninterested in leaving St James’ Park in the middle of their own project. His loyalty and long-term vision there could well rule him out of the United conversation entirely, regardless of how compelling his profile might seem on paper.

Who Should Manchester United Pick?

Choosing a permanent manager for Manchester United this summer will be one of the most consequential decisions in the club’s modern era. The hierarchy needs someone who can both steady the ship and begin crafting a long-awaited identity. Oliver Glasner tops the odds and makes sense as a hybrid choice who delivers calm leadership with Premier League experience. 

Enzo Maresca brings innovation and project potential but would require patience and unity from above. Thomas Tuchel offers instant credibility but may not be the long-term solution. Roberto De Zerbi represents exciting football that could re-energise supporters but demands structural support. Eddie Howe might be ideal, but he appears unlikely to leave his current role.

Ultimately, the choice ought to balance ambition with reliability. Glasner and Maresca represent the two poles of that spectrum, one rooted in stability, the other in transformative potential. United, having endured another managerial change already this season, must pick wisely to avoid repeating the cycle that has defined their post-Ferguson era.