Manchester United will have to compete with AC Milan and Juventus in their pursuit of Italian tactician Antonio Conte.
Manchester United is monitoring Antonio Conte as a potential candidate if Michael Carrick’s position becomes untenable, with Juventus and AC Milan also understood to be monitoring the Italian manager’s availability.
According to Calciomercato, Conte is currently waiting for the right opportunity to begin his next project after leaving Napoli in the summer. The 57-year-old prefers taking charge at the start of a season, allowing him to oversee pre-season preparation and have greater influence over squad development, but an attractive offer from a major European club could change his plans.
Conte’s track record of securing Serie A titles at Juventus and success at Chelsea makes him an attractive prospect for a club seeking to rebuild. Manchester United have reportedly followed Conte with interest for some time and could revisit their admiration if they decide to make a change in the dugout.
Conte could replace Carrick at Old Trafford
Pressure on Carrick has increased following a difficult opening to the 2026/27 campaign. Manchester United have won just one of their first four Premier League matches, while their performance in last Sunday’s Manchester derby raised further questions about the team’s progress.
Another disappointing result followed soon against Brighton & Hove Albion, where the Red Devils surrendered a 2-0 advantage before losing 3-2, bringing their EFL Cup campaign to an early end.
Carrick took charge at Manchester United following Ruben Amorim’s departure midway through the 2025/26 season and helped guide the club to a third-place finish. That run earned him the permanent position, but his side have struggled to reproduce that level of performance at the beginning of the new campaign.
Conte, meanwhile, is available after leaving Napoli following two seasons in charge. The former Chelsea manager guided Partenopei to the Serie A title (2024/25 season) and could now be attracted by a project with significant ambitions.
Juventus are another potential destination, with their own difficult start putting Luciano Spalletti under pressure. Conte has a strong history with the Turin club, having previously led them to three consecutive Serie A titles.
AC Milan are also keeping an eye on the situation. Ruben Amorim has endured an uneven beginning to his tenure, and further poor results could increase pressure on the Portuguese coach. Conte’s availability means all three clubs could potentially explore an appointment without having to negotiate with his current employer.
