Prepare for a summer filled with managerial upheaval at some of the most prominent football clubs worldwide, as Manchester United and Real Madrid are set to face stiff competition in their pursuit of new head coaches.
The recent firings of Ruben Amorim at United and Xabi Alonso at Madrid have sparked immediate searches for their successors, with Michael Carrick and Alvaro Arbeloa stepping in as interim managers for the remainder of the season.
As uncertainty looms over the futures of Pep Guardiola (Manchester City), Arne Slot (Liverpool), and Luis Enrique (Paris Saint-Germain), the coaching landscape could become increasingly congested this summer. This is especially true if Thomas Frank (Tottenham Hotspur) and Eddie Howe (Newcastle United) continue to falter in the coming weeks.
When Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down from his role at United in 2013, the club turned to David Moyes from Everton as his replacement, mainly because clubs like Madrid (Carlo Ancelotti), PSG (Laurent Blanc), Chelsea (Jose Mourinho), Bayern Munich (Guardiola), and Manchester City (Manuel Pellegrini) acted swiftly in their search for new managers that year.
The upcoming contest for new coaching roles is expected to be fiercely competitive. This summer’s situation is further complicated by the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with high-profile coaches like Ancelotti (Brazil), Thomas Tuchel (England), Didier Deschamps (France), and Mauricio Pochettino (United States) all in situations where they could be available after the tournament.
So, what’s in store for clubs searching for a new coach, and which ones might need to act swiftly if their current manager departs?
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MANCHESTER UNITED
Since taking over from Amorim on January 13, Carrick has won all four of his matches, but with only previous managerial experience at Middlesbrough, where he was dismissed last summer, he is currently just an interim solution for the remainder of the season.
This could potentially change if his winning streak continues, but United are keen on hiring an established coach who can lead them back to competing for Premier League and UEFA Champions League titles, and Carrick’s limited experience may not fit that bill.
Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti stand out as top candidates. Both have prior Premier League experience with Chelsea (Ancelotti also had a stint at Everton) and have each won the Champions League multiple times. However, if United wish to pursue either, they need to act fast before the World Cup kicks off in June, which could pose challenges.
Sources have indicated that United are in “no rush” to finalize an appointment, which could benefit Carrick in the short term, but ultimately, the club’s management must make a decisive choice soon.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Carrick is given the job permanently.
1:33
Ogden: Carrick’s success is creating a problem for Man United’s hierarchy
Mark Ogden asserts that Manchester United needs to make a decision about Carrick’s future soon.
REAL MADRID
After Alonso’s departure, Arbeloa has been given an open-ended contract as the first-team coach, but his future will heavily depend on the team’s performance, which has been inconsistent so far.
Real Madrid secured Alonso as one of the most promising young coaches in Europe last summer, following his successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen. However, he struggled to instill his philosophy in the team, and tensions, notably with Vinícius Júnior, contributed to his exit.
Given the club’s rich history of managing a star-studded lineup and pursuing Champions League success, it’s unlikely Madrid will hire another young coach after Alonso.
Jürgen Klopp has long been a coveted target for Madrid and, now in a front office role at Red Bull, the allure of coaching at one of the world’s premier clubs might entice him back.
Madrid could also revisit hiring former coaches Ancelotti or Zinedine Zidane—both of whom have had two stints at the Bernabéu—but whatever move they make is expected to be a high-profile appointment.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: An approach for Klopp, but Zidane might return for a third term.
MANCHESTER CITY
Guardiola’s contract at the Etihad runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, but the 55-year-old has consistently been noncommittal about his future when questioned in recent months.
This summer marks the tenth anniversary of Guardiola’s tenure at City, and while he has extended his contract multiple times amid expectations of his departure, speculation suggests this might be his final year at the helm.
If Guardiola leaves, sources say that Bayern coach Vincent Kompany, a former City captain, will be a top candidate for the role at Etihad.
Kompany’s history with the club, along with his strong rapport with the management and track record at Bayern, positions him as a frontrunner. However, City—a meticulously organized club—are expected to already have a structured succession plan in place.
Alonso, PSG coach Luis Enrique, and former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca, who was also Guardiola’s assistant at City, are additional possible candidates.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Guardiola departs, and City pursue Kompany.
1:48
Is this Pep Guardiola’s final season at Manchester City?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss whether Pep Guardiola will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
Luis Enrique stands out as a leading candidate among today’s coaches who can rival Guardiola for the title of best in the world.
After clinching the Champions League with Barcelona in 2015, he achieved similar success with PSG last year, constructing an exciting team while moving away from the club’s previous focus on star players and integrating an impressive group of young talents.
However, reports in France indicated last month that the 55-year-old was not inclined to extend his contract, which is set to expire in 2027, as he considers pursuing new challenges elsewhere.
Despite this, the former Spain team coach is now engaged in discussions for a new contract with PSG, aiming to conclude negotiations swiftly to eliminate his candidacy for several elite positions that might arise this summer.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Luis Enrique signs a new contract to remain at PSG.
LIVERPOOL
Slot is contracted with Liverpool until the end of next season and after leading the team to a Premier League title in his first year succeeding Klopp, he seemed poised for a long-term position at Anfield. However, the team’s disappointing performances this season following a £450 million investment in summer signings have put his job security in question.
Mohamed Salah’s critical comments regarding his relationship with Slot in December spotlighted existing tensions, suggesting that the former Feyenoord coach will need a strong finish to the season to solidify his position.
While Liverpool remain contenders in the Champions League and FA Cup, they are struggling to secure a top-five finish in the Premier League—particularly after a disheartening 2-1 loss against Man City. Failure to qualify for the Champions League could significantly jeopardize Slot’s future.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Slot departs, but Liverpool might contend with Bayern for Alonso’s signature.
1:31
Slot: Guehi’s foul on Salah was a clear red card
Arne Slot addresses Marc Guehi’s foul on Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai’s red card.
BAYERN MUNICH
From an external perspective, Bayern seems secure under head coach Kompany, who is on the verge of securing his second consecutive Bundesliga title and positions the club as a serious contender for the Champions League.
Kompany was rewarded with a new contract in October that extends until 2028-29. However, all of Bayern’s plans could unravel should Guardiola depart from Manchester City this summer.
Given Kompany’s substantial ties with City—and strong backing in their hierarchy—the opportunity to return as head coach would be challenging to refuse.
Bayern will certainly exercise their strength as a European giant to retain Kompany. Still, if he leaves, they might have options, including Alonso, who previously enjoyed a successful spell as a player at the Allianz Arena (2014-2017).
With potential vacancies looming, timing will be critical since Alonso will attract interest from several other clubs, including Liverpool and possibly PSG.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Kompany to City, Alonso to Bayern.
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Since his appointment as manager in November 2021, Eddie Howe has provided Newcastle with stability and success.
Despite leading the club to its first domestic trophy in 70 years with last season’s Carabao Cup and two Champions League qualifications, recent poor performances have stirred discontent among supporters for the first time during Howe’s tenure.
The team’s growth since the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund acquired the club in 2021 has stagnated, alongside frustrations with transfer market activity.
With speculation about the England job potentially opening following Tuchel’s contract expiration after the World Cup, a mutual departure could be on the cards this summer.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Howe leaves for the England job, Newcastle pursues Tuchel.
1:25
Should Eddie Howe’s Newcastle future be in doubt?
Don Hutchison reflects on Newcastle’s recent 3-2 loss to Brentford in the Premier League.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Thomas Frank is facing a turbulent spell at Spurs, despite having only joined the club last summer.
He has struggled to build on Ange Postecoglou’s previous UEFA Europa League victory, and Spurs find themselves perilously close to being drawn into a relegation battle—especially if they suffer a home defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday.
With fans losing confidence in Frank recently, his position seems increasingly untenable, and a parting of ways in the summer appears inevitable unless fortunes change soon.
The only coach capable of uniting fans and restoring a sense of optimism is former manager Pochettino.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Frank exits, with Pochettino likely to return after the World Cup.
BENFICA
While perhaps not on par with the prestige of the aforementioned clubs, the Benfica position is set to play a significant role this summer.
Reports suggest that Benfica’s current coach, Jose Mourinho, could be offered the national team position once Roberto Martinez’s contract expires post-World Cup. If Mourinho transitions to international management, it’s likely that Amorim may step back into coaching at Estadio da Luz.
During his prior tenure with Sporting CP, Amorim secured two league titles. He also has strong connections with Benfica, having spent nine years as a player there, which endears him to many within the club’s decision-making circles.
While Amorim’s time at Manchester United tarnished his reputation as one of Europe’s promising coaches, he remains well-regarded in Portugal, making Benfica a potential avenue for his return to management.
PROBABLE OUTCOME: Mourinho steps away—whether for Portugal or the Premier League—allowing Amorim to take the Benfica reins.