Ruben Amorim, Manchester United’s manager, reached his lowest point on Wednesday night, didn’t he? The 40-year-old’s Red Devils traveled to Blundell Park to face League Two rivals Grimsby Town in the League Cup’s second round, and they lost on penalties after tying 2-2.
Expectedly, the Portuguese strategist, who had plenty of success in his homeland with Sporting CP, has come under fire for their early exit. The INEOS executives must make a critical decision on his future at the club.
There is a good likelihood that United will part ways with Amorim, who has the lowest victory rate of any Manchester United manager in the Premier League era (35.6%).
Stealing a manager from another team so early in the season, however, has its drawbacks, which is why the club could look into the free agent market. But who could replace the Portuguese if the Premier League club embarked on a new era?
15 Best Unemployed Managers to Replace Amorim
Domenico Tedesco is the first manager who is now unemployed and, as such, is ready to replace Lisbon-born Amorim if necessary. And then there’s Gareth Southgate, who has a close relationship with INEOS executives.
Widely regarded as one of the best managers in England national team history, he was unfortunate not to win international silverware – yet his weak tactical style could prevent the appointment from taking place.
Sean Dyche is also available and brings a wealth of expertise and knowledge from England’s top division. To be honest, there are many worse appointments available to Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team.
There is, of course, former Tottenham Hotspur and Celtic goalkeeper Ange Postecoglou. The Greek-Australian would bring much of Premier League experience to the Old Trafford club, but his tactics, like Amorim’s, were heavily criticised.
Ange Postecoglou Record vs Manchester United
Matches
7
Wins
5
Draws
1
Losses
1
Goals
13 – 7
Points per match.
2.29
Sergio Conceicao, Edin Terzic, and Luciano Spalletti, despite their various levels of success in the hotseat, might all be in the race for the Old Trafford position if it becomes available in the near future, with Amorim now walking a very fine line.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has already played for and managed Manchester United, has the club in his blood, and the Norwegian’s recent dismissal by Besiktas may provide a pathway back into the post. It’s unclear whether he’d be willing to accept. Roger Schmidt, Thiago Motta, and Marco Rose are three other available managers who could be included on the list.
Jose Mourinho, like Solskjaer, was recently released by Fenerbahce and is now free to sign elsewhere. His last time in the red half of Manchester resulted in a Europa League victory, but might a second spell be in the cards as a means of stabilizing the ship?
Could Michael Carrick return? The former midfielder, who was released by Championship club Middlesbrough in the summer of 2025, is youthful, tactically astute, and understands what to anticipate on a daily basis at Manchester United.
Zinedine Zidane, the only manager in history to win the Champions League three times in a row, has had plenty of success with a star-studded Real Madrid, and his talents could be available if Amorim is fired.
The best choice would be Xavi Hernandez, who previously played and managed for Barcelona. Replaced by Hansi Flick, few players can match the Spaniard’s football knowledge – and he’d be eager to instill a new way of thinking at Old Trafford.
Manchester United – Unemployed Managers
1.
Xavi Hernandez
2.
Zinedine Zidane
3.
Michael Carrick
4.
Roger Schmidt
5.
Thiago Motta
6.
José Mourinho
7.
Marco Rose
8.
Edin Terzic
9.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
10.
Luciano Spalletti
11.
Ange Postecoglou
12.
Sergei Conceicao
13.
Sean Dyche
14.
Gareth Southgate
15.
Domenico Tedesco
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