Manchester United has officially announced the sacking of Michael Carrick as head coach. According to football insider Fabrizio Romano, the decision takes immediate effect: the 45-year-old manager leaves the club right after the announcement. The dismissal came as no surprise to observers — Carrick’s future at the head of the Red Devils had been in question for several weeks against the backdrop of the team's consistently poor results.
From interim to permanent head coach
Carrick's path to the head coach position was unconventional. He took charge of the team mid-season, in January, in an interim capacity following the departure of Ruben Amorim. At that time, Manchester United sat seventh in the table, but under Carrick's leadership, the club finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in three years. Following that campaign, the specialist received a full contract and became the permanent head coach.
The season that changed everything
The current season has been catastrophic for the club. After 10 Premier League rounds, Manchester United has collected only eight points and sits 18th — putting them in the relegation zone. The situation in the Champions League is slightly better, but the team still ranks 17th out of 36 participants. The club's management was reportedly dissatisfied with both the dynamics and the style of play, and the last few weeks brought no notable improvement, which became the decisive argument for the parting of ways.
Who will replace Carrick
According to Romano, Mauricio Pochettino appears to be the most likely successor to Carrick. The Argentine specialist, currently working as the head coach of the US national team, could take over at Manchester United to try to get the team back on a winning track. The club, in turn, has promised to appoint a new manager "as soon as possible."
What's next
Carrick’s departure once again leaves Manchester United with the task of stabilizing amid a battle to remain in the Premier League. Previously, media speculation linked the club's managerial change with Pep Guardiola, but currently, Pochettino remains the primary candidate for the Red Devils' hot seat. The final decision of the club's board will depend on negotiations and the timeline for signing a contract with the new manager.
