- Manchester United want to speak to Julian Nagelsmann
- Germany boss open to return to club management after World Cup
- 2-1 loss to Leeds casts doubts over Michael Carrick
Manchester United will reportedly make a ‘formal approach’ to Julian Nagelsmann amid uncertainty over whether Michael Carrick will land the head-coach role permanently. The English tactician is the frontrunner but a shock defeat to Leeds United has raised doubts.
United suffered a 2-1 loss at home to Leeds on Monday night and Carrick tasted defeat for the first time at Old Trafford. Noah Okafor’s first-half brace did the damage for the visitors while the hosts could only respond through Casemiro.
Carrick was left venting after the huge setback as Lisandro Martinez received a controversial red card for pulling on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair. His anger might also have been a sign of concern about his chances of being permanently appointed this summer.
Manchester United Readying Nagelsmann Approach
United’s defeat to Leeds means they spurned the chance to move three points clear of fourth-placed Aston Villa. They are right in the mix for Champions League qualification but meet sixth-placed Chelsea on Saturday and are seven points above the Blues.
According to GIVEMESPORT, United’s higher-ups are set to reach out to candidates aside from Carrick this month. Nagelsmann is the main focus as they are set to make a formal approach to the Germany boss.
The outlet claims that Nagelsmann is open to a return to club management once the World Cup concludes this summer. A move for the German coach could be helped by Director of Recruitment Christopher Vivell who worked with him at RB Leipzig.
Nagelsmann isn’t the only option INEOS have in mind as they also have USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino on their list. But the former Tottenham Hotspur boss is thought to be lower down on their radar.
Other names include Portugal’s Roberto Martinez, whom the club have “spoken about internally.” Paris Saint-Germain’s Luis Enrique is a dream appointment, but he is set to sign a contract extension with the Ligue 1 giants.
It Must Be Carrick or Nagelsmann
Last night’s defeat to Leeds has caused a massive headache for Carrick, who looked all but certain to land the United job full-time. He’d overseen six wins from six at Old Trafford before the Peacocks prevailed on a dissapointing Monday night.
Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January and has turned the tide at Carrington. But performances haven’t been exactly promising and there are some who feel the Englishman is too inexperienced.
Nagelsmann has a proven resume in club football having overseen Leipzig’s rise in the Bundesliga. He worked wonders alongside Vivell in transforming the relatively new German club.
The 38-year-old then took on his first major European job at Bayern Munich in the summer of 2021. He led the Bavarians to the Bundesliga title and was on course to do so for a second year in a row until he was controversially sacked in March 2023.
Nagelsmann has since been in charge of the Germany national team and is eager to guide them to their first major trophy since 2014. But it appears he’s keen to get back to club management once the World Cup concludes.
