Hiring a new Manchester United manager is a daunting challenge. The position has become exceedingly difficult to fill, marking the seventh search for a new coach since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in May 2013, following the recent sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday morning.
Each time a manager departs, there’s talk at Old Trafford about needing to get it right, but this time, the urgency is even greater.
United needs to make a bold move. It’s crucial for one of the world’s most prestigious clubs to secure a manager with not only the experience and proven track record but also the Premier League familiarity and the leadership qualities that will make the role feel like an opportunity rather than a struggle.
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It remains unclear whether United will opt to wait for high-profile candidates like Thomas Tuchel, Mauricio Pochettino, or Carlo Ancelotti after the World Cup, or take a chance on someone like Oliver Glasner, Kieran McKenna, or Gareth Southgate right away. Sources tell ESPN there’s currently no definitive strategy—whether to swiftly appoint a new manager or keep Darren Fletcher in a caretaker role until summer.
The missteps of the past and lessons from the tenures of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Erik ten Hag, and Amorim must lead United to a choice who can succeed where others failed: manage the pressure, foster an exciting style of play, and, most importantly, secure victories.
“If you assess the managers we’ve appointed since Sir Alex, they all exhibited certain personality flaws,” a United insider shared with ESPN. “They were often either too cautious, too rigid, too combative, or simply not equipped for the task. If you could merge their qualities, you might find someone who checks all the boxes.”
1:25
Was the Man United job ‘too big’ for Ruben Amorim?
Julien Laurens discusses the challenges Amorim faced at Manchester United following his departure after 14 months.
When United hired Amorim, he was just 39 years old and considered one of the brightest talents in European management, having attracted interest from clubs like Sporting CP and clinching two domestic titles, ending the dominance of Benfica and Porto in Portugal.
However, despite the initial optimism, Amorim quickly struggled to meet the immense demands of the role. Insiders indicated that he was “too stubborn and immature” to adapt, ultimately refusing to modify his preferred 3-4-3 formation until it was too late.
After only 14 months, the promising future Amorim once represented has landed him in the same category as his predecessors. Once again, United faces the repercussions of hiring a manager lacking the qualifications for such a pivotal job.
An insider noted that United is “an extrovert club managed by introverts,” which is an apt observation when considering the pressures faced by those in the dugout. Both Amorim and Ten Hag seemed overwhelmed by the expectations, especially with the scrutiny from legendary former players-turned-pundits like Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, and Roy Keane.
Solskjaer, while more resilient to criticism, lacked the commanding presence expected of a top-flight manager. Moyes, who succeeded Ferguson, lasted a mere 10 months, plagued by an acute sensitivity to criticism that hindered his performance.
Van Gaal temporarily stabilized the club, but similar to Amorim, he lost the backing of players, fans, and management due to a commitment to a lackluster style of play that achieved minimal results. Mourinho, though the most qualified candidate when he took over in 2016, arrived too late to make a significant impact; the right man, but five years too late.
3:04
Who could succeed Amorim at Manchester United?
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens evaluate potential candidates for Manchester United after sacking Ruben Amorim.
Reports indicate that senior members within the club had recommended Pochettino as a viable candidate back in 2016, but the Glazer family selected Mourinho instead due to his proven track record. This time around, the Glazers are expected to weigh in on the decision, along with co-chairman Joel Glazer, minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada, and director of football Jason Wilcox.
The pivotal question remains: what direction will they choose? Will they employ a head coach who collaborates closely with the director of football, or will they appoint a more traditional manager with the authority to oversee both the team and the club?
Ferguson often stated that the manager should be the club’s most dominant personality, and this is particularly true at United. In an environment where no strong leadership currently exists, it’s essential for the club to find someone with the presence and pedigree to handle the scrutiny, the opinions of former players, and the pressing need for both results and a charismatic style of play.
Since Ferguson’s departure, that ideal manager has yet to materialize, and the time for change is now.