One of the ‘best coaches in the world’ becomes Manchester United’s new top target

Manchester United’s job is difficult enough, but let’s not make it even harder for ourselves.

That’s advice Ruben Amorim should keep in mind on his final day in charge after making a series of head-scratching decisions during games.

Submitting goalscorer Joshua Zirkzee at half-time against Wolverhampton Wanderers, replacing Luke Shaw and Lisandro Martinez with minutes left against Newcastle United, or even refusing to use a back four against Everton in a 10-a-side game at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese coach led the club to sixth place in the Premier League but has missed a string of chances over the last month, winning only one of his last five home league games, which have also mainly involved favored opponents.

Rather than derail the situation further, INEOS turned its attention to who would be named as the 40-year-old’s long-term successor, and struck swiftly and ruthlessly.

Top targets emerge in the race to replace Amorim this summer

Similar to when they sacked Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjær in 2018 and 2021 respectively, United appear to be seeking an interim interim solution before making a permanent appointment for next season.

Solskjaer appears to be leading the charge for the interim position, with former colleague Michael Carrick also believed to be in contention to return to Old Trafford.

Solskjær in particular is thought to be hopeful that he will do enough to secure the long-term job, although regardless of what happens between now and the end of the season, plans seem to be going in a different direction.

Marseille manager Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as a new top target alongside Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, according to TEAMtalk, with the Italian previously interviewed for the role in summer 2024.

The admiration from those at Old Trafford has continued ever since and De Zerbi himself is said to be ready to leave France, seeing United as the perfect next step in his career.

However, it seems that INEOS are not the only ones interested in him, with the 46-year-old also being linked as a possible replacement for Thomas Frank at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Why De Zerbi could be another Amorim at Manchester United

It remains to be seen whether Amorim was aware of what was to come at that stage, but his explosive final outburst after the Elland Road impasse highlighted the rift with the INEOS government.

The former Sporting CP reiterated his desire to be Manchester United manager rather than a ‘head coach’, while pointing out the need for those above him to do the job.

Subsequent reports suggested that there had been a rift over the club’s transfer talks, with Amorim keen to sign Aston Villa pair Olly Watkins and Emi Martinez ahead of Benjamin Sesco and Senne Lamence.

There are certainly similarities between the former United man, a hearty manager with a radical tactical approach, and his potential replacement, De Zerbi, with the former Brighton & Hove Albion maverick also likely to be at direct odds with the Old Trafford hierarchy.

In fact, part of his departure from the Amex in 2024 was the result of significant disagreements over the Seagulls’ transfer policy, with the club’s recruitment being led by more than De Zerbi.

An early exit was threatened at the Stade Velodrome in March, with De Zerbi refusing to train after the defeat to Reims and the enigmatic manager always appearing on the verge of exploding.

Tactically, his approach has also irritated those in France. Although he hasn’t stuck to a back three like Amorim, the former Sassuolo man has seemed to confuse his team by switching between different tactical approaches and set-ups.

This was pointed out by Lewis Vicks on a recent episode of the Totally Football Show, with the Canal Plus journalist describing De Zerbi’s team as “unpredictable” and capable of moving from one extreme to the other, while noting that his “constant tactical changes” put his players in “difficult situations”.

Despite de Zerbi being hailed by the Marseille group as ‘one of the best managers in the world’, such criticism should certainly ring some alarm bells, given the similarities to Amorim.

United’s team can’t afford another confusing and flammable coach, and neither can INEOS. The Italian coach is probably more likely to push the Red Devils into further crisis than to stabilize the team if needed.