Since taking over for Erik ten Hag in November 2024, life at Manchester United has been challenging for Ruben Amorim. Richard Keys has now identified the ideal replacement for the Portuguese in the event that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his group sever ties.
On Sunday afternoon, his team lost to Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0, their ninth league loss at Old Trafford since 1962–1963. The club’s matchup with Athletic Club in the Europa League semi-final appears to be the centre of attention.
Amorim, who was born in Libson, was not accustomed to losing games with Sporting CP in his native country, but it is now the norm in England, and Gary Lineker recently asserted that former star Scott McTominay would be ideal for his ostensibly complex system.
The Portuguese, however, has stated that once he and his team manage the summer transfer window and a comprehensive preseason program with players he thinks can sing from the same hymn sheet, things will be easier.
After a difficult start to the season, former Sky Sports host Keys impulsively said in January that Amorim, who is considered to be among the best young managers in international football, intended to leave the team. Now, he has chosen a replacement.
Andy Grey was defending the 41-year-old in part during beIN Sports’ coverage of this weekend’s Premier League action when he enquired as to whom Ratcliffe might pursue should Amorim be stripped of his Old Trafford responsibilities. Gareth Southgate was his suggestion.
Would you like me to respond to the query? Southgate, Gareth.
With a puzzled expression on his face, Grey, who most famously played as a striker for Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Everton in his playing days, sat back in his chair, crossed his arms, and answered, “On what grounds?”
“On the grounds that he has led England to two European Championship finals, that he understands what a modern player needs to feel good about himself, his football team, and the club he plays for,” Keys went on. He is an expert at persuasion and inspiration.
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In complete astonishment, Grey immediately responded by emphasising his failure. I apologise, but is this the same Gareth Southgate that you have been talking to me about for years? Hurry up! Motivator and manipulator? Keysey didn’t win anything!
Keys argued that Southgate would make a good choice for Ratcliffe and his group because of his years of experience dealing with players like Phil Foden, Harry Kane, and Jude Bellingham, which has made him the ideal Old Trafford manager.
He is well-liked as a coach and is available. Although his club career was not particularly successful, he has developed into a strong club character as a coach by working with the best players available.
Following their disappointment at Euro 2024, Southgate, England’s longest-serving manager ever, was fired. As of April 2025, he has not found another job in the football management echo chamber. But will his next stop be Manchester United?
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