Manchester United legend Gary Neville has thrown two unexpected names into the ring for the club's vacant managerial position, following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim.
Amorim's Departure Triggers United Search
Ruben Amorim was sacked on Monday after just 14 months in charge at Old Trafford, marking the end of another failed project. Former midfielder and current Under-18s coach Darren Fletcher will take temporary charge for the midweek fixture against Burnley, with the club seeking a caretaker boss to see out the season.
The search for a permanent successor is not expected to conclude until the summer. Bookmakers currently have Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner as the favourite, with England boss Gareth Southgate, former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola also in contention.
Neville's Surprise Managerial Picks
While reluctant to name a single preferred candidate, Neville highlighted two figures he greatly admires during an appearance on Sky Sports. "There are coaches that I like," Neville stated. "I like Tuchel, I like Simeone at Atletico Madrid, I like Valverde, I think he's a fantastic coach."
His praise for Atletico Madrid's notoriously gritty boss Diego Simeone and Athletic Bilbao's experienced tactician Ernesto Valverde raised eyebrows, given their contrasting styles to United's traditional attacking ethos. Neville, however, questioned whether either would be attainable, adding: "But are there really opportunities for Manchester United to go out and get these coaches? I don't know."
The Challenge of United's 'DNA'
Neville emphasised that whoever eventually takes the helm must align with the club's core identity. "Man United have got to appoint a manager that fits the DNA of their club," he insisted, drawing parallels with the unwavering philosophies of Ajax and Barcelona.
He also pointed to the repeated failures in the dugout, noting the club's 2024 U-turn after interviewing Thomas Tuchel to stick with Erik ten Hag, only to sack him months later for Amorim. "It's been a real struggle for all these good managers and coaches to come to Old Trafford," Neville conceded. "We can't keep getting it wrong we have to get it right at some point."
With Paul Scholes advocating for Tuchel and other big names in the frame, United's next appointment will be scrutinised more than ever as they aim to finally end their cycle of managerial disappointment.
