Gareth Bale Champions Carlo Ancelotti for Manchester United Managerial Position
Former Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has thrown his support behind Carlo Ancelotti as the ideal candidate to become Manchester United's next permanent manager. This endorsement comes amid Michael Carrick's successful interim tenure at Old Trafford, which has sparked debate about the club's long-term leadership.
Manchester United's Managerial Situation
Manchester United dismissed Ruben Amorim in early January 2026 following a disappointing 14-month spell. The club quickly appointed Michael Carrick as caretaker manager until the season's conclusion. Carrick has enjoyed a remarkable start, winning seven of his first ten matches in charge.
This unexpected success has led to growing calls for Carrick to secure the position permanently, despite initial expectations that his return would be temporary. The situation has created a complex decision for United's leadership as they evaluate their options.
Bale's Strong Endorsement of Ancelotti
During an appearance on The Overlap, Bale expressed his belief that Ancelotti would excel at Manchester United. "I think he would do great," Bale stated. "He's not just the manager, he is a coach as well. He can do the tactical stuff."
Bale highlighted Ancelotti's adaptability, noting that during his second spell at Real Madrid, the Italian implemented more tactical approaches than during their first collaboration. "I think we had a better team the first time," Bale reflected, "but wherever Carlo goes, I think he would do an amazing job just because he gets everyone on board."
The Welsh forward emphasized Ancelotti's ability to maximize player potential through simplification. "He'll get the best out of players and will just simplify things, which you see now with Michael Carrick," Bale explained. "He's simplifying a lot of things that the previous manager was doing, and you're getting results. So that's Carlo's genius, getting the best out of the players and just making it simple."
Ancelotti's Impressive Credentials
Carlo Ancelotti, aged 66, stands as one of football's most decorated managers in history. His remarkable achievements include a record five Champions League titles and league championships across five different countries: Spain, England, Italy, France, and Germany.
Currently preparing for the upcoming World Cup with Brazil, Ancelotti brings unparalleled experience and a proven track record of success at the highest levels of European football.
Scholes Adds Support for Ancelotti
Bale isn't alone in advocating for Ancelotti. Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has also described the Italian as "perfect" for the role. Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes acknowledged Carrick's impressive impact while highlighting Ancelotti's unique qualifications.
"Michael is doing great, it's unbelievable the change," Scholes said. "If you put yourself in the owner's shoes or whoever is making the decision, he's putting real pressure on them to get the job."
Scholes suggested that Manchester United might benefit more from a man-manager than a highly technical coach. "You're at a big club with good players who know what they're doing," he noted. "Maybe they need a man-manager more than anything."
Drawing parallels with Manchester United's history, Scholes referenced Sir Alex Ferguson's management style. "If you look back to Sir Alex, he was never a coach really but he knew the players, he knew what the players needed and how to treat players to get the best out of them."
Scholes pointed to Ancelotti's experience as a decisive factor. "The perfect one out there... Ancelotti is still out there. He's that perfect one for Manchester United where you think he would make players feel a million dollars and he's got the experience of winning trophies."
The Carrick Conundrum
While Carrick's interim success has been undeniable, questions remain about his readiness for the permanent position. Scholes raised concerns about experience, noting that while Carrick has managed in the Championship, the Premier League presents different challenges.
"The question over Michael is does he have the experience?" Scholes asked. "Can we see Carrick winning United the Premier League? Look, we don't know yet."
Scholes emphasized the ultimate standard for Manchester United managers: "The way you judge a Manchester United manager is to look ahead and think, 'can United win the league with this manager?' It's not a case of finishing in the top-four, you need a manager who you think can win you the Premier League."
Competition for the Role
England manager Thomas Tuchel had been considered a frontrunner for the position following Amorim's dismissal. However, the former Chelsea boss has since signed a contract extension with the Three Lions, removing him from immediate consideration.
This development has intensified focus on both Carrick's interim performance and potential external candidates like Ancelotti as Manchester United approaches a crucial decision about their managerial future.
The club faces a delicate balancing act between rewarding Carrick's immediate success and securing a manager with proven championship pedigree. As the season progresses, this decision will become increasingly significant for Manchester United's long-term ambitions.
