Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann emerge as leading contenders to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United
Manchester United have identified Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann as prominent candidates to become their next head coach should Michael Carrick be dismissed, with both managers aware of the club's interest and Antonio Conte also keen on the role.
- Contenders: Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann feature prominently on Man Utd's list to replace Michael Carrick.
- Carrick status: Position under major threat following poor start to season; work on successor ongoing.
- Also admired: Unai Emery is admired but contracted to Aston Villa until 2029, complicating any move.
- Available: Howe, Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are all out of work, making appointments easier.
- Conte interest: The Italian is interested in the job and has also been linked with Juventus.
- Context: United seeking eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.
What was said
"Multiple sources have told BBC Sport that former Newcastle boss Howe is fully open to joining United if Carrick loses his job."
"Sources have also indicated Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is admired at United, but the fact he is under contract would complicate any move for the Spaniard."
"Nagelsmann is available after leaving his job as Germany head coach after the World Cup, while Conte – who has also been linked with Juventus – is open to returning to football after leaving Napoli in May."
The consistent theme from the reporting is availability. Howe's willingness to take the job specifically, rather than just any role, is significant. Nagelsmann and Conte being out of work removes the compensation hurdle that would accompany a move for a contracted manager like Emery. United's list is built around candidates they can appoint quickly if Carrick goes.
Emery's contract situation is the key obstacle. He has guided Aston Villa to Champions League qualification twice since arriving in 2022, and his deal runs until 2029, so prising him away would require a major financial and diplomatic effort. The admiration is real, but the practicality is not.
The numbers
- 20 – English top-flight titles won by Manchester United, the most recent coming in Sir Alex Ferguson's final season.
- 8th – Permanent manager or head coach United would be appointing since Ferguson departed in 2013 if Carrick is sacked.
- 2013 – Year Ferguson left the club after winning the most recent title.
- 48 – Age of Eddie Howe.
- 39 – Age of Julian Nagelsmann.
- 57 – Age of Antonio Conte.
- 54 – Age of Unai Emery.
- 33 – Age of Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler.
- 2029 – Year Emery's Aston Villa contract runs until.
Eddie Howe
Howe, 48, has been out of work since leaving Newcastle in the summer. He helped the Magpies end their 56-year wait for a trophy by leading them to League Cup glory in 2025 and secured two Champions League qualifications in his five years in charge. The former Bournemouth and Burnley boss is available and would be considered. Sources have indicated Howe is open to returning to management with United specifically after leaving St James' Park in the close season.
Antonio Conte
The Italian, 57, has been out of work since leaving Napoli in June and is interested in the job. Conte has won Serie A titles with three different clubs – Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli. He led Chelsea to the Premier League title in 2017 and FA Cup in 2018. During his time at Tottenham between November 2021 and March 2023 he helped them qualify for the Champions League.
Julian Nagelsmann
Also out of work, interested and high up on the club's list of contenders. The German, 39, left the role of manager of his country's national team after a World Cup last-32 defeat on penalties to Paraguay last summer, having lost in the quarter-finals of Euro 2024 to Spain. Nagelsmann earned his reputation as a young coach at Hoffenheim and RB Leipzig before he landed the Bayern Munich job in 2021. He led them to the Bundesliga title in 2022 but was sacked the following season amid fluctuating form.
Unai Emery
The Aston Villa head coach's stock is high at United given how he has steered the Midlands club to Champions League qualification twice since arriving in 2022. However, he would be difficult to prise from his current role given his contract runs until 2029. Emery, 54, has won five Europa League trophies at Sevilla, Villarreal and at his current club while he also helped Paris St-Germain to domestic honours in a two-year stint there. However, he lasted just 18 months at Arsenal before being sacked in 2019.
Fabian Hurzeler
The Brighton manager is another who is well liked at Old Trafford, but the Seagulls would have little interest in discussing his availability. It would be a difficult deal to do financially for Man Utd as well. Hurzeler, 33, guided German club St Pauli to promotion to the Bundesliga in 2024 before he was picked up by Brighton where he is enjoying a very strong start to his third season at the club.
Cesc Fabregas
The former Arsenal midfielder masterminded United's humiliating 4-1 defeat in Como on Wednesday night in a game that pushed Carrick to the brink. Fabregas, 39, is considered one of the best young coaches in Europe for his work in helping to steer the Italian club from Serie B to the Champions League and will be wanted by many major clubs in the coming months.
Why availability could decide United's next manager
The contrast between candidates is stark. Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann are both out of work, which means United could move without paying compensation or negotiating with a current employer. Howe's Premier League experience with Bournemouth, Burnley and Newcastle makes him a safer pair of hands, while Nagelsmann's pedigree at Hoffenheim, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich points to a more modern, structured approach.
Antonio Conte brings a track record of winning league titles in Italy and England, but his intense style has historically produced short-term results and longer-term friction. His interest is clear, yet his Juventus links complicate any negotiation. Unai Emery is admired for his European record, but his Villa contract until 2029 makes him a difficult target.
United's decision will hinge on timing and appetite for risk. If Carrick is dismissed, the club will want a swift appointment to steady a season that is already unravelling. Howe fits that brief; Nagelsmann offers a bolder rebuild. The presence of Fabregas and Hurzeler on the list signals that United are also thinking about the next generation of coaches, not just immediate firefighting.
Talking points
- Would Eddie Howe leave a comfortable reputation at Newcastle for the pressure cooker of Old Trafford, and is he the right man to rebuild a squad low on confidence?
- Julian Nagelsmann's Bayern tenure ended with a sacking, so does his young-coach reputation justify the risk of appointing him mid-season?
- Antonio Conte's Chelsea title win shows he can deliver quickly, but his combustible nature might not suit a club in transition – is he too volatile?
- Why would United even consider Unai Emery when his Aston Villa contract runs to 2029? The admiration may be genuine, but the deal looks near-impossible.
What happens next
Michael Carrick's position will be assessed in the coming days, with United's next fixture likely to be decisive for his future. If results do not improve, the club's work on identifying a successor will accelerate. Howe and Nagelsmann are the early frontrunners, but Emery's situation remains one to monitor despite the contractual hurdles. The stakes are enormous: United cannot afford another prolonged managerial reset.
Frequently asked questions
Who are Manchester United's top targets to replace Michael Carrick?
Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann feature prominently on United's list of candidates, while Antonio Conte is also interested in the job.
Is Unai Emery a candidate for the Manchester United job?
He is admired at United, but his Aston Villa contract runs until 2029, which would complicate any move for the Spaniard.
Which managers are out of work and available for Manchester United?
Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Antonio Conte are all currently out of work, making their potential appointments easier.
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