Former Manchester United player, Gary Neville, has recently named his 'outstanding candidate' for the next manager of the club. His top pick is none other than Carlo Ancelotti, who is currently serving as Brazil's head coach.
Manchester United has been on the hunt for a new manager since they sacked Ruben Amorim on Monday. Following this decision, discussions have been held with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick about potentially filling an interim role until the end of the season.
However, it seems that there are differing opinions among former players about who should take over permanently. Roy Keane had previously expressed his preference for Eddie Howe to become United’s next permanent manager.
Neville's standout candidate
Despite these suggestions, Gary Neville believes that Carlo Ancelotti stands out from all other potential candidates.
Gary Neville, Manchester United legend, said:
‘The outstanding candidate for me would be Carlo Ancelotti, even if it would mean potentially delaying his arrival until late July if Brazil reached the World Cup final. No-one comes as close to fulfilling everything laid out above than he does. Ironically the club met with Carlo shortly before his retirement in 2013 and we could have short circuited this entire process and started with him at the beginning of the cycle. But by that stage he was close to agreeing to joining Real Madrid for his first spell in charge and so what might have been a perfect appointment never happened.
‘After Ancelotti, the next two on my short list would be Thomas Tuchel and Eddie Howe. Obviously Tuchel edges it in terms of experience and the quality of the trophies he has won, with Champions League, the Bundesliga and Ligue 1 his biggest achievements. He also reached a Champions League final with PSG. He might have played a back three at times but he is sufficiently adaptable to fit the United DNA and plays with a back four with England.
‘What is certain is that whatever the issues, however dysfunctional the club has been in the past and however tricky the task seems, any manager would be excited to take that call from United. United remains a massive football institution, albeit failing on the pitch at present. But at some stage, the tanker will start turning and glory will return to Old Trafford. But much depends on what happens in the next few months and this momentous decision.’
Neville further explained that even if this meant delaying his arrival until late July - assuming Brazil reached the World Cup final - he still considers Ancelotti as the best choice. Carlo Ancelotti boasts an impressive resume in football management which includes successful stints at clubs like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. His current role as head coach of Brazil also demonstrates his ability to manage at international level which could bring a fresh perspective to Manchester United.
As speculation continues over who will take up the reins at Old Trafford following Amorim’s departure, it remains clear that there are several strong contenders in consideration. However, according to Gary Neville - one of Manchester United's most decorated players - Carlo Ancelotti emerges as an 'outstanding candidate'. Whether or not he will be chosen remains uncertain but his nomination by Neville certainly adds an interesting twist to the ongoing search for a new manager.
