Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking at Manchester United has Old Trafford hunting for its next saviour, and we look at the three options to replace him.
Manchester United’s latest managerial upheaval has left fans wondering what is next for the beleaguered giants. Ruben Amorim’s sacking after a rocky ride marks yet another chapter in Old Trafford’s turbulent times, sparking talk of fresh faces to steady the ship. Three standout candidates emerge as real possibilities, each bringing tactics and experience that could click with their squad.
Amorim’s Manchester United rollercoaster
Ruben Amorim stepped into Manchester United’s hot seat in November 2024, right after Erik ten Hag got the boot midway through a dismal campaign. His arrival brought a buzz, with early wins hinting at brighter days ahead using his favoured 3-4-3 setup.
But Amorim himself warned of tough times coming, and boy, did they arrive. The Red Devils scraped to 15th place by season’s end, straying marginally clear of the drop zone. This term started with promise, results picking up as the squad adapted to his high-pressing, wing-back heavy style.
Yet, a string of poor showings lately, coupled with reported clashes between Amorim and the club’s top brass over transfers and long-term plans, sealed his fate. The Portuguese tactician was shown the door after a Monday morning meeting with execs like sporting director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada, leaving the team in limbo.
Darren Fletcher, the under-18s boss, has taken interim charge, guiding them into the midweek clash with Burnley. Stats paint a grim picture under Amorim: Manchester United sat mid-table, with defensive frailties exposed despite flashes of attacking flair from players like Bruno Fernandes. The board now eyes a summer fix, but pressure mounts for quick stability.
Oliver Glasner fits the mould
Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner tops the wishlist for good reason. He has already cracking the Premier League code with a setup eerily similar to Amorim’s 3-4-3. The Austrian tactician has racked up 43 wins from 94 games at Selhurst Park since arriving, including silverware like the 2024/25 FA Cup and 2025 Community Shield.
Glasner’s teams press fiercely but stay compact, blending aggression with smart transitions that suit United’s speedy forwards. Palace sit 14th amid recent wobbles, yet his track record shines: he nabbed the 2021/22 Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt, too.
With his contract expiring this summer and no renewal in sight, Manchester United could snag him without much fuss, although Crystal Palace would demand compensation mid-season. While Chelsea have also shown interest in Glasner, the Red Devils face a clear run at him, as Liam Rosenior is closing in on joining the West London club.
At Old Trafford, Glasner could maximise the back-three experiment already baked into the squad. His Crystal Palace side concede fewer soft goals than Manchester United’s recent efforts, boasting a goals-against average under 1.2 per game in league play. Players like Kobbie Mainoo would thrive in his structured chaos, turning United’s potential into points.
Gareth Southgate’s steady hand
Gareth Southgate, fresh off guiding England, sits available and whispers a link to him back to United via old ties with Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The ex-England boss brings calm amid storms, a trait United desperately needs after years of upheaval. His pragmatic 4-2-3-1 morphed England into tournament contenders, reaching a Euro final and World Cup quarters.
Southgate favours control over flair, drilling defences to solidity; England shipped just seven goals in seven Euro 2024 games. For Manchester United, reeling from leaky rearguards (over 1.5 goals conceded per match lately), he will install discipline without ditching attack. Free agent status means no buyout hassles, and his “higher purpose” rebuild talk aligns with restoring United’s glory.
Critics knock his club record, but at 55, Southgate’s man-management shines with young talents like Mainoo, whom he capped early. Paired with Manchester United’s midfield engine, he could push for top-four, using data-driven tweaks to boost conversion rates that hover around 10% under Amorim.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth surprise
Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola has overachieved, keeping the Cherries punching above their weight despite losing stars like Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez to big fees. His contract winds down this summer, making him ripe for poaching.
Iraola deploys a fluid 4-2-3-1, emphasising possession (around 55% average) and rapid counters that echo Manchester United’s counter-threat from Brayn Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Bournemouth’s competitiveness shows his squad-building nous, with goals per game ticking up 20% under him.
As was the case with Oliver Glasner, while Chelsea have also shown interest in Iraola, the Red Devils may have a clear run at him, as Liam Rosenior is closing in on joining the West London club. Meanwhile, Liverpool have also shown interest in the Spaniard, and that may leave United in a spot of bother.
Transitioning to Old Trafford, Iraola’s intensity fits the Premier League grind, fixing Manchester United’s home form woes (win rate dipped below 40% lately). His Spanish roots bring a tactical edge, potentially unlocking Bruno Fernandes’s creativity better than rigid systems of the past.
Honourable Mentions
Enzo Maresca, fresh off leaving Chelsea, grabs attention after his Stamford Bridge exit over boardroom battles, echoing Ruben Amorim’s gripes. The Italian tactician snagged the Club World Cup and Conference League there, wielding possession dominance (Chelsea hit 60%+ averages). Manchester City eye him as Pep Guardiola’s heir, but Manchester United offer instant action; his availability trumps rivals.
Xavi, post-Barcelona, craves Premier League adventure, fresh off a La Liga title and debuting Lamine Yamal. His positional play demands the technical midfielders the Red Devils possess, though adapting tiki-taka to English pace poses risks. Reports say he would leap at Old Trafford.
Darren Fletcher holds the fort as interim, blending under-18s duties with first-team nous from his 342 United games and trophy haul. A Solskjaer-like rise isn’t impossible if he impresses, fitting the “head coach” model where recruitment stays upstairs.
Why Manchester United need this right
Manchester United’s mess stems from mismatched visions; Ruben Amorim’s rigid tactics clashed with squad gaps, yielding a negative goal difference mid-season. Oliver Glasner offers seamless continuity, Gareth Southgate reliability, and Andoni Iraola brings dynamism. Stats scream urgency: United’s 1.1 points-per-game ratio lags top-six pace.
The board’s summer timeline allows Darren Fletcher breathing room, but fan frustration boils after survival scraps. Whichever path, blending fresh ideas with United DNA could reignite the giants. Glasner edges it for tactical fit, but Southgate’s poise tempts for instant calm. Old Trafford awaits its saviour.
