Manchester United legend Gary Neville has identified three premier candidates to take over the permanent managerial position at Old Trafford once the current season concludes. During a recent episode of the Stick to Football podcast, the former defender emphasized that the club must prioritize experience and “big-game” pedigree to restore stability.
While Michael Carrick recently stepped in as interim manager following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim and a brief stint by Darren Fletcher, Neville maintains that the club should not consider Carrick for the long-term role, regardless of his performance.
Neville’s primary shortlist features three world-class managers currently leading major national teams: Thomas Tuchel (England), Carlo Ancelotti (Brazil), and Mauricio Pochettino (USA). He argues that these individuals possess the necessary gravitas to manage the dressing room, handle the intense media scrutiny, and navigate the complexities of club ownership. Neville believes that elite figures like Ancelotti or Tuchel provide a level of “seriousness” that would make Manchester United a more attractive destination for top-tier players in the transfer market.
In addition to his top three, Neville also mentioned Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe as a strong secondary option. He noted that Howe’s success in securing trophies and achieving top-four finishes proves he can handle the pressures of a major club. Ultimately, Neville warns that appointing another “young” or unproven manager would be too risky, suggesting that the Red Devils must secure a leader with proven Champions League experience to finally end the club’s cycle of instability.
Neville stated on the podcast: “I hope Michael does really well. We could be sitting here at the end of the season with the fans excited, the team in fifth place in the table, back in the Champions League spots, and everyone feeling happy about it. But there can’t be any thinking that Michael will take the job past the end of this season, even if it’s for Michael’s sake and the club’s, even if he wins every game.
Who can handle the media? Who can sort the dressing room out? Who can handle the owners? Which manager plays a style of football that fans will at least find enjoyable to watch? Who has Champions League experience? Who has big‑game experience? The three that stand out are Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti, and Mauricio Pochettino.
They might all be available after the World Cup. Eddie Howe – who has won a trophy, finished in the top four, and managed a big club like Newcastle – is another option. To make United a more appealing club for players, Tuchel and Ancelotti show they take things seriously. If you choose a younger manager, United will lose out on players. United will lose many players regardless, but someone like Ancelotti would motivate them to join. They need that right now because I’m not sure the players will want to join unless there’s someone they can trust.”
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