Manchester United legend Gary Neville has publicly backed Carlo Ancelotti to become the next permanent manager of the club, labelling the Italian as the 'outstanding candidate' for the role.
Neville's Managerial Shortlist Revealed
Speaking on his podcast The Overlap, Neville outlined his ideal candidates to take over at Old Trafford following the sacking of Ruben Amorim on Monday, January 10, 2026. The club has since held discussions with former managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about an interim position until the season concludes.
While fellow pundit Roy Keane has championed Newcastle's Eddie Howe, Neville's vision is different. He believes the current Brazil head coach, Ancelotti, is the standout name, even if his potential arrival could be delayed until late July should Brazil reach the World Cup final.
Ancelotti: The One That Got Away
Neville revealed a fascinating piece of history, noting that United could have appointed Ancelotti over a decade ago. 'The club met with Carlo shortly before his retirement in 2013,' Neville said, suggesting a perfect appointment was missed as the coach instead agreed to join Real Madrid for his first spell in charge.
'No-one comes as close to fulfilling everything laid out above than he does,' Neville stated, emphasising Ancelotti's unparalleled experience and trophy-winning pedigree.
Tuchel and Howe Complete the Podium
Following Ancelotti, Neville's shortlist includes two other Premier League-proven managers: Thomas Tuchel and Eddie Howe. He highlighted that both possess deep knowledge of the English top flight and valuable Champions League experience, with Howe now also having a major domestic trophy to his name.
Neville conceded that Tuchel holds an edge in terms of the calibre of trophies won, including the Champions League, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1, but praised Howe's achievements. He also defended Tuchel's tactical flexibility, noting his adaptability with the England national team after sometimes using a back three at club level.
Despite the well-documented challenges at Manchester United, Neville remains convinced of the club's enduring appeal. 'United remains a massive football institution,' he asserted, predicting that glory will eventually return to Old Trafford. He concluded by stressing that the club's future direction hinges on the 'momentous decision' they make in the coming months.
