Manchester United is considering two potential candidates for their permanent managerial position at Old Trafford: Michael Carrick and a “unicorn.”
Now, to clarify, it isn’t a real unicorn. In the realm of sports recruitment, a “unicorn” refers to an ideal head coach who meets every criteria: a proven track record of winning significant trophies, exceptional tactical skills, the ability to manage both upper management (board and owners) and lower ranks (players and staff), and a media-handling finesse that seems innate.
This term emphasizes the rarity of such a candidate. While they may not be as elusive as the mythical creature, there have arguably only been three or four coaching unicorns this century.
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While there have been many talented coaches, most fail to meet at least one of these standards. José Mourinho has had conflicts with management and players at various clubs, Diego Simeone has yet to win the UEFA Champions League with Atlético Madrid, and the new wave of coaches like Xabi Alonso, Andoni Iraola, and Mikel Arteta show strengths but lack in at least one area.
For nearly three decades, United had a coaching unicorn in Sir Alex Ferguson, who led the club to remarkable success, including 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League victories. However, since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United has struggled to find a comparable figure.
Manchester City secured their unicorn in Pep Guardiola, while Jürgen Klopp has been Liverpool’s for the past nine years, and Carlo Ancelotti established himself as a unicorn at Real Madrid—something they have come to appreciate even more since his departure.
As United grapples with the decision on their managerial future, one potential candidate stands out as the unicorn they desperately need: Luis Enrique.
The Paris Saint-Germain head coach heads into the Champions League semifinals this week as the only remaining coach who has previously won the competition. At 55, Luis Enrique has already claimed two Champions League titles: one with Barcelona in 2015, as part of a Treble.
His contract with PSG is set to expire at the end of next season, and with an extension yet to be agreed upon despite ongoing negotiations, there is an opportunity for United and other elite clubs to gauge Luis Enrique’s commitment to PSG. Given that Guardiola and Klopp are likely out of reach due to their deep ties with City and Liverpool, respectively, and with Ancelotti likely staying on as the Brazil coach for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Luis Enrique emerges as the sole candidate who could fulfill United’s desires for a top-tier coach.
Carrick has made significant strides at Old Trafford since taking over from the released Ruben Amorim in January. A victory against Brentford at home on Monday would all but secure a Champions League spot and bolster Carrick’s case for the permanent role. While Carrick certainly leads as a frontrunner, sources indicate that United’s ideal choice would be a coach with proven tactical prowess at the elite level.
Despite Carrick’s impressive performance, he remains a question mark in high-pressure situations. The real concern is whether he can strategically outmaneuver top managers like Guardiola and Luis Enrique to secure major titles. There are no uncertainties surrounding Luis Enrique—this is why United has shown notable interest in recruiting him before.
In 2022, United approached Luis Enrique during their hunt for a successor to Ole Gunnar Solskjær, but he made it clear he would not leave his role as Spain coach until after the Qatar World Cup concluded in late 2022.
After firing Solskjær in November 2021 and bringing in Ralf Rangnick as an interim, United decided they could not afford to be without a permanent coach for over a year, leading them to ultimately shortlist Erik ten Hag and Mauricio Pochettino, before choosing Ten Hag from Ajax.
Since joining PSG in July 2023, Luis Enrique has enjoyed notable success despite moving on from stars like Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, along with the earlier departure of Lionel Messi. He successfully guided the team to European championship victory while emphasizing development among younger players.
Attracting Luis Enrique away from PSG to Old Trafford might not be straightforward. It would require a significant show of ambition, both in terms of sporting goals and financial backing, to entice him to the Premier League. However, there’s no doubt that he represents an exceptional option for the club.
Beyond Carrick and Luis Enrique, United’s other potential options come with their own concerns. Does outgoing AFC Bournemouth coach Iraola have what it takes to thrive under the pressure of a club like United? Is Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann’s stint at Bayern Munich a cautionary tale? Would Unai Emery be willing to trade the autonomy he enjoys at Aston Villa for a more collaborative structure at Old Trafford?
Carrick has shown he can handle the pressure at United and possesses the skills necessary to manage relationships above and below him. However, if the club aims to reclaim their titles in the Premier League and Champions League, is he truly the right person for the task?
Luis Enrique, on the other hand, would come without any of the doubts that surround the other contenders. If United aspires to reach the pinnacle once more, they must strive to find their unicorn.