Mikaël Silvestre has offered to return to Manchester United in an executive role alongside former teammate Michael Carrick.
The former France defender spent nine seasons at Old Trafford and played with Carrick during his final two years at the club.
Silvestre earned his coaching qualifications after retiring, but decided against building a career on the training pitch. He later worked as a director of football at Rennes and CFR Cluj.
Speaking to Grosvenor Sport, Silvestre said Carrick already has a complete coaching staff. However, he would consider returning to United as a director of football.
“I’d prefer the director of football role, which I did at Rennes after I completed my masters in sports management,” he said in comments published by the Manchester Evening News.
Carrick receives another offer from a former teammate
Silvestre follows Wayne Rooney and Antonio Valencia in expressing an interest in working with Carrick.
Rooney said he would leave his punditry role if United asked him to join Carrick’s staff. Valencia also said he would return in any capacity because of his affection for the club. Rooney’s willingness to return was reported when Carrick first took charge in January.
United do not currently have a vacancy in Silvestre’s preferred department. Jason Wilcox remains director of football and has led the club’s summer recruitment work.
Carrick has also started shaping his team with his existing staff during pre-season. As Read Man Utd reported from Carrington, the head coach has already begun assessing his squad and introducing his plans for the new campaign.
Silvestre plans to visit United in September and observe training. His comments represent an offer rather than any indication that the club plans to change its football leadership structure.
